YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Capt. Jay Hansen, 36th Airlift Squadron pilot, stands on the flightline at Yokota Air Base, Japan, April 2, 2011. Captain Hansen, a native of Monteview, Idaho, has been flying humanitarian aid supplies to help Japan after the earthquake and tsunami. "It is an honor to represent our country around the world and very satisfying to use the training I've been given to help my fellow man," said Captain Hansen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Krystal M. Garrett)

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Airman 1st Class Nicholas Leon

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Airman 1st Class Nicholas Leon, 374th Communications Squadron cyber transport technician, stands in the telephone switch room at Yokota Air Base, Japan, April 2, 2011. Airman Leon, a native of Orlando, Fla., helps provide network and telecommunications capabilities for the additional personnel working at Yokota Air Base for Operation Tomodachi. "It feels great to help my counterparts in my host country through this difficult time they're having. It allows me to know I'm completing my mission as well as helping to rebuild their country from the tsunami March 11." (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

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Staff Sgt. Shane Polk

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Shane Polk, 374th Aerospace Medicine Squadron bioenvironmental engineering flight NCO in charge of readiness and training, initializes radiation monitoring devices at Yokota Air Base, Japan, April 2, 2011. Sergeant Polk uses the devices to monitor radiation levels for the base and personnel going on missions. "Operation Tomodachi will be a mission that I'll remember for the rest of my life. Although the work is challenging and the hours are long, my 'caffeine' is monitoring radiation levels and keeping the base safe at all times." Sergeant Polk is a native of Baton Rouge, La. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

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Operation Tomodachi

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Phuong Yim, 374th Communications Squadron, works as a Postal Technician at Yokota Air Base, April 2, 2011. When asked how he is supporting Operation Tomodachi, the Lynn, Mass. native replied, “We continue to do our part so that people who have their hands in the action can continue to do what they do best.” (U.S. Air Force photo by/Master Sgt. Jeromy K. Cross)

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Yokota's Hometown Heroes 2 April 2011

Published March 29, 2011

Airman 1st Class Nicholas Leon

Staff Sgt. Shane Polk

Operation Tomodachi