Voluntary Departure of Dependents

I'm not quite sure what this means yet, but I'm passing on the information as I get it. I suggest you friend the facebook page 'Naf Atsugi'. They have had up to date and important information about the situation.

To all NAF Atsugi Residents,

Due to the uncertainty regarding the fate of the Fukushima Nuclear Facility
following last Friday's earthquake and tsunami, the President of the United
States has just announced that US military forces in Japan are now
authorized to conduct a military-assisted voluntary departure of dependents
from Northeast Japan, including the facilities within the Kanto Plain. What
does that mean for you living here on Naval Air Facility Atsugi? It means
that a voluntary evacuation of SOFA-sponsored families will commence, likely
starting by Friday afternoon 18 March. Flights will likely depart from
Atsugi to military bases in Korea for further transfer to other areas which
are to be determined at this time. We will also transport voluntary
evacuees from Camp Zama. Attached is the US Embassy statement containing
further information.

I know there are some people on base who are panicking or scared. Please
remain calm and make sure your families are ready to move. Stay in your
homes and we will be informing you what to do on the Base Information
Channel, the NAF Atsugi webpage, and Facebook page. This is not the time to
panic. This is a time to help each other to orderly move our families to
ensure their safety. Aircraft should be landing at NAF Atsugi within 24
hours.

CVW-5 Sailors continue to be fully engaged in humanitarian aid to help our
host nation of Japan. Carrier Air Wing FIVE aircraft will depart today to
make ramp space for incoming humanitarian relief flights and the evacuation
flights. The radiation levels at NAF Atsugi are less today, 17 March then
they were two days ago.

What are you authorized to take with you? Please review the Non-combatant
Evacuation Checklist on the NAF Atsugi website for guidance as to what to
pack. Remember, Korea is cold this time of the year, so prepare and dress
accordingly. I would pack for 3-5 days. NAF Atsugi Branch Health Clinic
will remain open through the night to refill necessary prescriptions.
Legal will also remain open for Power of Attorney processing. We are
requesting further guidance from CNFJ as to procedures for pets, baggage
weights, etc, that we hope to have shortly.

This is going to be a high capacity operation.
. The order of departure is women and children first.
. Non-essential personnel
. Essential personnel
. And finally me
We will likely prioritize families by the age of their children, with
infants and pregnancies first, toddlers second, grade schoolers, and then
teenagers.

The US Marine Corps III MEF will be the supported Commander in this
operation and that team will be flying in soonest to begin the orderly
voluntary evacuation process.

NAF Atsugi has turned into the logistical hub in support of operation
TOMODACHI. Our Sailors have done a great job supporting units from around
the Pacific and the U.S. Now is the time for us to care of their families.

There was an Ombudsman Assembly meeting scheduled for tonight. We will hold
that meeting at 1800 in the Little Theater, across from SLES. If you have
questions, please get them to your command ombudsman and we will have
support personnel there to answer questions.

Once again, please stay calm and prepare your families for travel. Thank
you.

V/R,
CAPT Eric "Biff" Gardner
Commanding Officer
Naval Air Facility Atsugi