Members from Team Yokota work together in a time of need

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lynsie Lorenz
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Members from Team Yokota demonstrated what it means to be strong wingmen when they came together to help each other out in a time of need, Thursday.

Several buildings on the east side of Yokota Air Base were left without power after 3.4 inches of rain in one hour disabled two east side transformers Tuesday, forcing many residents to evacuate their homes and relocate to lodging on base.

Mary Basiliere, senior station manager of Red Cross Yokota, said she felt good helping others.

"To see the whole community pull together, open their doors and do whatever it takes to help their neighbors, gives me goose bumps," said Ms. Basiliere. "We hope [events like this] never happen here, but when they do, it's good to know we can count on each other."

Volunteers from Red Cross Yokota helped those affected by the outage by cleaning apartments in buildings 2000 and 3006 so that evacuated residents could have a place to stay. The housing office also helped by providing mattresses and couches to each unit for the families to have a place to sleep.

Dee King-Shepard, station chair of Red Cross Yokota, said there are several volunteer opportunities.

"If people can volunteer to sit in the dayroom to make sure people are getting canned goods or cookies, or whatever, that would be great," said Ms. King-Shepard. "If they can come and help police-up the building, or if they could bring cleaning supplies, that would be great as well."

The USA Girl Scouts Overseas-Yokota Troop-9 helped residents by donating food to the Red Cross, while other agencies from around base also helped Yokota residents in other capacities.

Senior Airman Theodore Nichols, 374th Communications Squadron cable and antennae maintainer, was a part of a group that set up temporary housing for those affected by the outage.

"We went to building 2000," said Airman Nichols, "and tried to make the housing units livable by cleaning them and providing mattresses for the families to sleep on."

Ms. King-Shepard said she feels that helping in a time of need is a very rewarding feeling. Airman Nichols agreed, adding that he wishes there was more they could do for the families who were affected.

"I can only imagine the stress that these outages are putting on the families affected," said Airman Nichols. "I'm just glad I could help."