CTG 776.36 SALVAGE AND RECOVERY FORCE OPERATION TOMODACHI CTG 776.36: Summary 14 APR 2011
Agenda Background Organization Operational Timeline Ports of Operation Hachinohe Miyako Kesennuma / Oshima Lessons Learned Sustain Improve
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
Task Organization JSF-J JFMCC Maritime Response Cell CTF 770 SARFOR CTF 772 PATRECFOR CTF 773 LOGFOR CTF 774 RADSUPCENT CTF 776 HA/DR COORDAUTH 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) TU 776.36.1 TOR TU 776.36.2 SAF TU 776.36.3 HM-14 DET 1 TU 776.36.4 EODMU5 CTG 776.36 Port Clearance Group
Operational Timeline (March/April 2011) ARR MISAWA/HACHINOHE ARR MIYAKO ARR OSHIMA CONOPS Complete Warm Zone Plan Miyako CONOPS TORTUGA 11 MAR-SASEBO 12 MAR-POHANG TOMAKOMAI IVO OMINATO IVO HACHINOHE IVO MIYAKO IVO OSHIMA ENR YOKOSUKA 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 YOKOSUKA MODLOC IVO HACHINOHE IVO MIYAKO IVO OSHIMA ENR YOKOSUKA SAFEGUARD Hachinohe ops begin Hachinohe ops end Oshima ops begin Oshima ops end Miyako ops begin Miyako ops end CTG 76.14/76.35 CTG 776.35 CTG 776.36
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 31 st MEU and ESXARG 200 KM 110 KM HACHINOHE MIYAKO KESENNUMA / OSHIMA
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
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
CTG 776.35 Port Clearance Group Miyako, JPN Port Clearance Plan - Updated: 01 APR 2011 (1540L) N Area 4. Area 3 SAF Area 2 Area Cleared Survey Complete Survey In-Progress Survey Pending
Example of Side-Scan Survey Imagery (Image displays 20m container in port) CTG 776.35 Port Clearance Group Miyako, JPN: Area 3 Scan Results - Updated: 30 MAR 2011 (2000L) Target Marked (not confirmed) Target Marked (Confirmed by divers)
CTG 776.35 Port Clearance Group Miyako, JPN: JN commercial crane lifting debris off of USNS SAFEGUARD with LCU 1627 alongside 01 APR 2011
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
Area 2 Sample Photos of Points A Ship upside down in channel B Small boat salvaged by US Navy C Small boat salvaged by US Navy A C B
Area 2 (South) Map of Points A C B
CTG 776.36 Port Clearance Group Kessennuma, JPN: LCU 1627 operating from USS TORTUGA with UCT2 and EODMU FIVE embarked 04 APR 2011
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
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