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CTG 776.36 – SALVAGE AND RECOVERY FORCE

OPERATION TOMODACHI

CTG 776.36: Summary

14 APR 2011

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Agenda

Background Organization Operational Timeline Ports of Operation Hachinohe Miyako Kesennuma / Oshima

Lessons Learned Sustain Improve

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Background Situation

NE Honshu ports had numerous containers, vessels, and other debris blocking access to vital pier space. Access to piers and harbors was not possible until obstacles could be identified and removed.

HHQ Mission PACOM deployed forces to the C7F AOR to conduct humanitarian assistance and

disaster relief as a result of 11 March 2011 major earthquake and tsunami in Northeastern Japan.

Restated Mission As a component of US Pacific Command (USPACOM) and the US Navy’s SEVENTH

FLEET, conduct port opening and harbor clearance operations along the Northeastern coast of Honshu, Japan while operating in support of the Government of Japan (GoJ).

Areas of operation as prioritized by the GoJ Hachinohe Ko Miyako Ko Kesennuma Ko / Oshima

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Task Organization JSF-J

Maritime Response Cell

JFMCC

CTF 770 – SARFOR CTF 772 – PATRECFOR CTF 774 – RADSUPCENT CTF 776 – HA/DR COORDAUTH

CTF 773 – LOGFOR

CTG 776.36 – Port Clearance Group

TU 776.36.1 – TOR

TU 776.36.2 – SAF

TU 776.36.3 – HM-14 DET 1

TU 776.36.4 – EODMU5

TG 776.36 Composition USS TORTUGA (LSD 46) USNS SAFEGUARD (T-ARS 50) LCU 1627 SWRMC Battle Damage Repair Tm HM-14 DET 1 MDSU1 COMPANY 1-2 UCT2 NCIS (2x agents)

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CTG 76.14/76.35 CTG 776.35 CTG 776.36

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 01 02 03 17 18 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11

Miyako ops begin

‘Warm Zone’ Plan

Miyako CONOPS

ARR MISAWA/HACHINOHE ARR MIYAKO ARR OSHIMA

TORTUGA

11 MAR-SASEBO 12 MAR-POHANG TOMAKOMAI IVO OMINATO IVO HACHINOHE IVO MIYAKO IVO OSHIMA ENR YOKOSUKA

Hachinoheops begin

Oshima ops begin

Hachinoheops end

Oshima ops end

Miyako ops end

SAFEGUARD

YOKOSUKA MODLOC IVO HACHINOHE IVO MIYAKO IVO OSHIMA ENR YOKOSUKA

CONOPS Complete

Operational Timeline (March/April 2011)

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Ports of Operation Hachinohe

Largest Fishing Port in NE Honshu Industrial/Commercial and NAVSUP

piers Heavily damaged Significant JN cleanup work in progress

Miyako Medium commercial port with small boat

harbor Opens to an inland waterway (Miyako

River) Very heavily damaged Some JN cleanup in progress

Kesennuma / Oshima Kesennuma is a medium commercial

port adjacent to Oshima which is a small island with one ferry landing

Heavy aquacultural region Area was devastated Most cleanup on Oshima Island was

supported by 31st MEU and ESXARG

HACHINOHE

KESENNUMA / OSHIMA

MIYAKO

110

KM

200

KM

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Port: Hachinohe (24 -27 March 2011) Planning / Initial Ops

Local authorities performed soundings 20m intervals

Met 3x w/ local officials to prioritize underwater obstacle removal

Developed survey plan and dive plan based on soundings

All operations shore-based before AFSB was established

Actual Accomplishments LNG tanker track cleared and

opened Surveyed port priority areas Dived all significant contacts Salvaged three obstacles

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Port: Miyako (29 March – 1 April 2011) Planning / Initial Ops

ADVON met with local authorities Established three priority areas for

survey and dive verification only Miyako officials requested no

salvage Commercial companies to salvage

CTG 776.36 marks Used TOR (AFSB) and LCU 1627

to gain access SAF served as support vessel for

LCU 1627 in port Actual Accomplishments

Operations fully met local governmental and JCG desires

Turned data over to port, JCG, and salvage officials

Model for integration with local officials and conduct of port clearance operations

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Area 3

Area 4 . Area 2

CTG 776.35 – Port Clearance Group Miyako, JPN Port Clearance Plan

UNCLASSIFIED - Updated: 01 APR 2011 (1540L)

Area Cleared Survey Complete Survey In-Progress Survey Pending

N

SAF

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Example of Side-Scan Survey Imagery (Image displays 20m container in port)

CTG 776.35 – Port Clearance Group Miyako, JPN: ‘Area 3’ Scan Results

UNCLASSIFIED - Updated: 30 MAR 2011 (2000L)

Target Marked (not confirmed) Target Marked (Confirmed by divers)

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CTG 776.35 – Port Clearance Group UNCLASSIFIED

Miyako, JPN: JN commercial crane lifting debris off of USNS SAFEGUARD with LCU 1627 alongside – 01 APR 2011

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Port: Kesennuma / Oshima (4 – 8 April 2011) Planning / Initial Ops

Local authorities wanted all services (survey, dive, marking, salvage)

Priority was to clear main shipping channel

Note: Inside Fukushima ‘Warm Zone’

Actual Accomplishments Surveyed entire port Dived 71 contacts Salvaged several small boats Turned data over to officials Unable to get SAF into main

channel due to surface debris Fukushima air plume and

adverse weax hampered operations

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Area 2 Sample Photos of Points A

B

C

A – Ship upside down in channel B – Small boat salvaged by US Navy C – Small boat salvaged by US Navy

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Area 2 (South) Map of Points

C B

A

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CTG 776.36 – Port Clearance Group UNCLASSIFIED

Kessennuma, JPN: LCU 1627 operating from USS TORTUGA with UCT2 and EODMU FIVE embarked – 04 APR 2011

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Lessons Learned: Sustain Multi-disciplined approach to Port Clearance

Subject matter expertise exists in C7F Continue to leverage available assets including all three diving communities

(SWRMC BDR, UCT, MDSU) Institute lessons learned to forming, storming, norming, and performing

approach to ad hoc HA/DR missions including niche capabilities

Use of Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) USS TORTUGA (LSD 46) Mission success was dependent on mobility and re-supply Expect disaster area to be cluttered and access to be constricted Use of TORTUGA, LCU 1627, SAFEGUARD, and expeditionary teams was

critical. Continue this practice in the future.

Use of Cultural and Technical Experts was well received although limited NCIS provided well balanced country-relevant knowledge Continue to embed HA/DR teams with SMEs

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Lessons Learned: Improve Radiological and Toxic Decontamination

Took too long to receive guidance or answers to RFIs No central clearinghouse for subject matter expertise Develop and utilize rapid dissemination tools

Command and Control Establishment RFF for forces already in theater frustrated efforts initially Lack of early guidance led to missteps in immediate actions Practice HA/DR with port clearance as a key metric Institute single point of control over all diving and salvage assets in C7F AOR

Local priorities should dictate operations Not enough cultural and technical experts during early stages Early departure from Hachinohe not received well Endstate defined by local port, governmental, and JCG authorities HHQ must understand the speed of salvage operations is rate determining step