Operation Tomodachi

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse, 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, takes photos on the flightline, March 29, 2011. When asked about his roll in Operation Tomodachi Sergeant Morse said "Commanders regularly drill into us the importance of everyone for mission success, but it's not very often that the success is in our own backyard. We owe it to our host nation and to the honor of the United States, to work at the pinnacle of integrity, service and above all excellence." Sergeant Morse, the NCO in charge of photography, hails from Danielson, Conn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeromy K. Cross)

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Operation Tomodachi

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Angelique Vazquez, 374th Comptroller Squadron, works as the NCO in charge of customer service, March 29, 2011. Sergeant Vazquez said "Operation Tomodachi has challenged all Air Force career fields, and finance is no exception. Being able to provide relocation allowance guidance to our affected dependents, streamlining the travel voucher process upon their return, and supporting our joint Operations paying agents assisting northern disaster relief efforts, has added a new facet to an otherwise routine day at the office," about her roll in Operation Tomodachi. Sergeant Vazquez hails from Tampa, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeromy K. Cross)

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Working in the "Shadows"

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Jack Kindell, 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron crew chief, reviews an electronic technical order prior to moving an MC-130P Combat Shadow across the flight line here March 31, 2011. The Cheboygan, Mich., 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 tsunami disaster March 11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrea Salazar)

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Hometown Heroes

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --Lt. Kailin Kwan, 374th Force Support Squadron chief of military personnel section, is the officer in charge of the joint reception center during the duration of Operation Tomodachi. Lieutenant Kwan, a native of San Jose, Calif., in processes and out processes all individuals that are stationed at and deployed to Yokota in support of Operation Tomodachi. ?My role as officer in charge of the joint reception center is key to tracking individuals who are in the country for accountability purposes,? said Lieutenant Kwan. ?We coordinate pax movement to the affected areas, so we play a vital role in getting the manpower help to those in need. I?m proud to support an operation that is helping our Japanese neighbors through these difficult times. This is a joint effort between our sister services and multiple other countries.? Along with her fellow Airmen, Lieutenant Kwan is working 12 hour shifts in support of Operation Tomodachi. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Krystal M. Garrett)

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Hometown Heroes

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Staff Sgt. Samantha Beary, 36th Airlift Squadron aviation resource management craftsman, updates an aircraft utilization report March 29, 2011. A native of Denver, Colo., Sergeant Beary maintains and controls the aviation resource management system which records data about the flying time for aircrew and aircraft as well as aircrew training records. "I think it is sad that we have to implement something like Operation Tomodachi; but I am excited that Operation "My Friend" is in effect and that we are able to pull all of our resources together to help make things easier on our host nation. This operation will definitely be a long lasting memory for me and it is an experience that I will be able to share with friends and families for years to come," said Sergeant Beary. Along with fellow Airmen Sergeant Beary is working 12 hour shifts in support of Operation Tomodachi. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Krystal M. Garrett)

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Yokota's Hometown Heroes 31 March 2011

Published March 29, 2011

Operation Tomodachi

Operation Tomodachi

Working in the "Shadows"

Hometown Heroes

Hometown Heroes