JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Joint Base Lewis McChord-based Soldiers, Airmen and civilians are working with their counterparts from the Navy Region Northwest, U.S. Army North and USO volunteers at Seattle Tacoma International Airport to help military and family members evacuated from Japan during Operation Tomodachi, the U.S. DOD mission to provide support for voluntary evacuation for DOD family members from Japan.
So far, one DOD-chartered flight carrying approximately 240 passengers has arrived at SEATAC at 10 a.m. today. Of these passengers, about 180 are children. Passengers are temporarily staying at a location inside the airport near its USO lounge, until military funded transportation and lodging can be arranged.
Approximately 36 military and civilian personnel are now on site assisting the evacuees. This support also includes emergency financial assistance as needed from the Army Emergency Relief and Air Force Assistance organizations. Other support services are being provided by members of I Corps, 62nd Airlift Wing, JBLM’s Directorate of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation, 62nd Aerial Port Squadron, 62nd Logistics Squadron, and the 407th Comptroller Squadron.
These operations will continue as DOD charters additional aircraft to bring up military family members and civilians from Japan.