Tokyo, Japan (AHN) – As tsunami waves ripple through the Pacific in the wake of Japan’s historic 8.9-magnitude earthquake, several United States Navy warships are being dispatched to devastated areas while other steam away from possible destruction.
From Japan to Hawaii to the U.S. West Coast, personnel and equipment near coastlines were moved out of the way of expected tsunami waves, many to higher ground, others out to sea away from the shallow coastlines. However, it appears the region escaped the brunt of the damage and the tsunami’s arrival was anticlimactic.
The storm’s power was clearly seen in Japan, where at least hundreds are dead. On Guam, where the submarines USS Houston and USS City of Corpus Christi were moored, the expensive vessels broke free from their mooring lines and suffered minor damage.
“Both subs are safe and under the control of the tug boats,” Joint Region Marianas posted on its Facebook page. No injuries have been reported.
On the U.S. mainland near San Diego, the U.S. Dubuque amphibious transport dock ship steamed out of Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station to avoid tsunami damage.
In another part of the world, the San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan was diverted to the northern coast of Japan Friday. The ship was enroute to deployment in the western Pacific Ocean and waters of the Middle East. Its new mission is to provide aid to victims of the earthquake. The Reagan is equipped with nearly 80 planes and helicopters.
Other Defense Department resources being called into duty include two amphibious assault ships equipped with helicopters and airplanes–the USS Essex and the USS Boxer are being sent to the destruction zone.
Another ship, the USS Blue Ridge, a command and control ship, arrived in Singapore and was slated to depart Saturday.
The USS Tortuga, which is currently in Sasebo, Japan, is being loaded with boats, transport equipment and troops and could depart for the heavily hit areas later Friday.
According to Cmdr. Greg Hicks of the 3rd Fleet in San Diego, the government of Japan has requested the U.S. military assistance.
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