Yokota's Japanese workers help their own

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Christopher Love
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  In the aftermath of Japan's devastating March 11th earthquake and tsunami, much attention has been given to the military members, U.S. and otherwise, who are supporting the relief effort from Yokota. Fewer people realize, however, that Yokota Air Base also houses another huge team of workers, without whom coalition forces would struggle greatly to complete their mission.

At roughly 2,200 strong, Japanese nationals form a considerable part of the workforce at Yokota. They provide a vital supporting role, contributing to a wide range of operations. And now, with thousands of their own people dead and far more displaced in shelters, the relevance of their efforts has never been greater.

"We started a 24-hour schedule, yesterday," said Mr. Hidenao Nakanishi, 374th Air Mobility Squadron forklift operator foreman.

Mr. Nakanishi and his 18-member team have been helping to fill the numerous pallets of food, water and supplies that C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemasters transport daily to locations in northern Japan. During an interview with representatives from Public Affairs, Mr. Nakanishi pointed to 1,000 empty pallets that he and other members of the AMS can expect to load in the coming days and weeks.

A long-time employee at Yokota, Mr. Nakanishi stated that "[t]his is the busiest time in twenty-seven years."

Another member of team Yokota, Mr. Shunkichi Hiraide, 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron supervisory stock control, has also had to adjust to the heightened operations tempo.

"The C-130s now have lots of flying missions, and, as a result, transporters like us have gotten busy too" Mr. Hiraide said.

When asked how it felt to be directly involved in helping his own people, the 12-year veteran of Yokota remarked: "As an individual, there is a limit to what one can do." Yet he went on to say, "As a member of this team, I can contribute far more to those in hard times."

For some of the Japanese working here, the disaster in the north not only affected fellow countrymen, but friends and family, too.

Mr. Toru Miyakoshi, who works in the 374th LRS warehouse, is fortunate in that his relative there is alive and well.

"My cousin was in the north; but, through my mother, I heard that my cousin was safe," Mr. Miyakoshi said. "My cousin lives in Sendai."

Even as they work hard in support of Operation Tomodachi, most of Yokota's Japanese workers are reluctant to comment on their efforts. Instead, many turn the conversation toward the U.S. and Coalition forces working alongside them to aid the people of Japan.

Mr. Takeshi Moriyama, who works with Mr. Miyakoshi, said: "I was so surprised with all the military people helping Japan. Thank you. I have said 'Thank you' to lots of the military members around me, and they've said 'This is just our job.'"

Mr. Masahiko Sukegawa, from the 730th AMS, was asked if he would like make a comment. He responded, after a pause, by saying: "I am very grateful to the AF members who work here at Yokota Air Base to support the earthquake relief. On behalf of the Japanese people, I'd like to thank you. I am so proud that I am working at this squadron."

The appreciation goes both ways.