OPERATION TOMODACHI

U.S. Air Force Aerial Porters from Misawa Air Base, Japan off load pallets of earthquake relief supplies from a C-17 III Globemaster on March 13, 2011 during Operation Tomodachi. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock) (Released)

MC-130P combat shadow performs four successful aerial refueling missions

PACIFIC OCEAN -- An MC-130P Combat Shadow from the 17th Special Operations Squadron refuels a HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter from the 33rd Rescue Squadron March 18. The refueling missions are in support of humanitarian relief operations after an 8.9 magnitude earthquake and following tsunami that rocked Northeastern Japan March 11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Osakabe Yasuo)

Maintainers keep C-130s flying to supply Operation Tomodachi

Maintainers from the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron power up a C-130 Hercules for night-flying operations March 14, 2011, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. C-130s play a crucial role in disaster-relief operations because of their ability to land on dirt runways and other less-than-ideal landing conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

320th STS, ready to fly anytime, anywhere

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Members of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron from Kadena Air Base, Japan, load an HH-60G Pave Hawk here March 15. The 320th STS has combat controllers, pararescuemen and special operations weather teams to go anywhere and set up forward operating locations and impromptu runways. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

Maintainers keep C-130s flying to supply Operation Tomodachi

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --Tech. Sgt. Douglas Harper, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flying crewchief, takes a moment for mentorship, teaching his Airmen about the differences between a receiver-transmitter and a generator control unit here March 14. The C-130 aircraft play a crucial role in disaster relief due to their ability to land on dirt runways and other less-than-ideal landing conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)

Maintainers keep C-130s flying to supply Operation Tomodachi

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Maintainers from the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron talk with loadmasters and flight engineers from the 36th Airlift Squadron while starting up a C-130 Hercules here March 14. C-130s play a crucial role in disaster relief due to their ability to land on dirt runways and other less-than-ideal landing conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse)