YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airman 1st Class Stephen Tessier, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, applies grease to bolts for a C-130 Hercules here March 31. As part of Operation Tomodachi, the U.S. military has mobilized its humanitarian airlift capabilities to support emergency relief efforts throughout quake and tsunami affected regions of Japan that are. Yokota's location and tactical airlift capability makes the base a key element of these efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)

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YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Crew chiefs from the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, work on the brakes of a C-130 Hercules here March 31. Altogether, Yokota's C-130 aircraft have logged over 300 flight hours carrying fuel, supplies and personnel in support of Operation Tomodachi. Careful and constant maintenance ensures continued flight operations in support of the nation of Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)

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YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Crew chiefs from the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, work on brakes on a C-130 Hercules here March 31. Crews at Yokota are working around the clock to ensure continual support to Japanese disaster relief efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)

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YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airman 1st Class Stephen Tessier, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, applies grease to bolts for a C-130 Hercules here March 31. Altogether, Yokota's C-130 aircraft have logged over 300 flight hours carrying fuel, supplies and personnel in support of Operation Tomodachi. Careful and constant maintenance ensures continued flight operations in support of the nation of Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)

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YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Crew chiefs from the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, work on brakes on a C-130 Hercules here March 31. Crews at Yokota are working around the clock to ensure continual support to Japanese disaster relief efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)

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Maintainers keep "Hercs" in the air for the relief effort

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Crew chiefs from the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, work on brakes on a C-130 Hercules here March 31. As part of Operation Tomodachi, the U.S. military has mobilized its humanitarian airlift capabilities to support emergency relief efforts throughout quake and tsunami affected regions of Japan that are. Yokota?s location and tactical airlift capability makes the base a key element of these efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)

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Maintainers keep "Hercs" in the air for the relief effort

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Crew chiefs from the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron perform preventive maintenance on a C-130 Hercules here March 31, 2011. As part of Operation Tomodachi, the U.S. military has mobilized its humanitarian airlift capabilities to support emergency relief efforts throughout quake and tsunami affected regions of Japan that are. Yokota's location and tactical airlift capability makes the base a key element of these efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea Salazar)

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Maintainers keep "Hercs" in the air for the relief effort

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airman 1st Class Stephen Tessier, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, prepares tools to be used for preventive maintenance on a C-130 Hercules here March 31, 2011. The Kewanee, Ill., native is stationed in Japan and is currently supporting Operation Tomodachi, which kicked off at the request of the Government of Japan to support humanitarian relief efforts for those affected by the earthquake and tsunami disaster March 11. Crews at Yokota are working around the clock to ensure continual support to Japanese disaster relief efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea Salazar)

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Maintainers keep "Hercs" in the air for the relief effort

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Neal Peterson and Staff Sgt. Benjamin Zavala, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs, replaces breaks on a C-130 Hercules here March 31, 2011. Altogether, Yokota's C-130 aircraft have logged over 300 flight hours carrying fuel, supplies and personnel in support of Operation Tomodachi. Careful and constant maintenance ensures continued flight operations in support of the nation of Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea Salazar)

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Maintainers keep "Hercs" in the air for the relief effort

Published April 4, 2011