Japan Minister of Defense visits Yokota

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Capt. Klusmann, initial response force commander, provides Toshimi Kitazawa, Japan Minister of Defense, a demonstration of IRF functions at Hangar 15 here April 23. The specialized team deployed to Yokota and remains on stand-by to support the Government of Japan if requested. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)

Japan Minister of Defense visits Yokota

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Marines with the initial response force demonstrates how to cut in to a vehicle at Hangar 15 here April 23. The demonstration was to show Toshimi Kitazawa, Japan Minister of Defense, the team's capability to provide emergency support in radiological, chemical and biological environments. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)

Military Families return to Misawa Air Base

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Senior Airman Kai Hall, 35th Communications Squadron, gets big hugs from his son Izaiah, and daughter Aniyah, 22 April. Airman Hall's wife Christina and children returned to Misawa on the first patriot express flight along with more than 150 other passengers. The families were in the United States as part of the Department of State-authorized voluntary departure program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marie Brown\Released)

Military Families return to Misawa Air Base

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Capt. Brandi Rountree, 35th Fighter Wing sexual assault response coordinator, holds her daughter Mikaia Rountree 22 April. During a one-week period following the 11 March earthquake in Japan, more than 1,300 family members travelled to locations in the U.S. on one of six chartered flights that departed Misawa as part of the Department of State-authorized voluntary departure program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marie Brown\Released)

Military Families return to Misawa Air Base

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan – A Boeing 767 aircraft, dubbed the “patriot express,” arrives 22 April. More than 150 passengers returned to Misawa on the first flight after the voluntary authorized departure order was lifted by the Defense Department 15 April. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marie Brown\Released)

Japan Minister of Defense visits Yokota

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Toshimi Kitazawa, Japan Minister of Defense, and Lt. Gen. Burton Field, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, walk through an honor guard cordon at Hangar 15 here April 23, 2011. Minister Kitazawa visited Yokota Air Base to thank U.S. service members for their efforts in support of Operation Tomodachi and to observe a bilateral demonstration of the U.S. Marine's and Japan Ground Self Defense Force's chemical response forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad C. Strohmeyer)