Operation Tomodachi

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Operation Tomodachi was the United States’ aid effort to help Japan after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The operation ran from March 12 to May 4, 2011. About 24,000 U.S. service members, 189 aircraft, and 24 ships took part, with costs around $90 million. Most U.S. bases in Japan helped in some way.

What they did
- Delivered food, water, blankets, medical supplies, and other relief items to affected areas.
- Rescued people, searched for survivors, cleared debris, and helped reopen ports and airports.
- Deployed military helicopters and ships to support recovery work across the damaged coast of Honshu.
- Used aircraft carriers, logistics ships, and airbases to move supplies quickly to where they were needed.
- Brought in U.S. civil engineers, medical teams, and disaster response specialists to assist Japan’s own forces.

Key actions and assets
- The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and its group helped with helicopter operations and refueling for Japanese helicopters.
- C-2 Greyhound, and other transport aircraft, moved tens of tons of aid from Atsugi to naval ships and then to land.
- Yokota Air Base and Misawa Air Base served as hubs for airlift and relief missions.
- Amphibious ships and landing craft delivered supplies to areas with damaged docks.
- The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps helped protect and deliver relief to many towns, including in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures.

Radiation and safety
- Some radiation was detected near the Fukushima site. The Reagan and other ships took precautions, were decontaminated, and tests showed low or no harmful exposure for most personnel.
- U.S. teams monitored radiation and adjusted operations to keep people safe.

Evacuations and support beyond Japan
- Family members of U.S. service members evacuated from Japan under Operation Pacific Passage, with thousands leaving for the U.S.
- International teams, including the United Kingdom, joined U.S. efforts in some search and rescue missions.

End of the operation
- By May 4, 2011, major on-the-ground relief work wound down and control began shifting to Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.
- The operation highlighted a strong U.S.–Japan alliance and boosted goodwill, with surveys showing high favorable views of the United States in Japan.

Overall, Operation Tomodachi was a large, coordinated relief effort that helped Japan recover after a devastating natural disaster.