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The son of a Cheektowaga couple didn’t know what to expect. He’d seen pictures of the devastation on television and in the newspapers, and he knew he had to help, but he didn’t know how. It didn’t take long for him to find out.
The operation provides the authorized voluntary return of military family members from Japan in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan March 11. Operation Tomodachi provides humanitarian assistance and recovery operations to the people of Japan.
Operation Pacific Passage has airlifted more than 7,000 passengers and more than 400 pets via military and commercial aircraft from various locations in Japan, and Operation Tomodachi has resulted in more than 400 missions being flown, more than 2,800 tons of cargo, and more than 400,000 pounds of fuel delivered. Military members are also assisting in the cleanup of communities and airports.
“My role and job during Operation Tomodachi is to help provide fire protection,” said Babirad, who is a firefighter with the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron, Yokota. “We have performed and are continuing to perform hazardous material assistance, including decontamination of aircraft and personnel if needed. We have also taught the Japanese firefighters pump operations on a truck that we sent to the north. Just providing a safe feeling for the base and then knowing that our main priority is the people, property, and environment is important.”
While nothing can totally prepare service members with the training they need to handle a disaster of this magnitude, the fact that they must be ready to deploy at a moment’s notice has come in handy during this operation.
“This is my first time being involved in an operation like this,” said Babirad, who graduated in 2003 from Cheektowaga Central High School.
“To prepare for this type of operation, we do training monthly on different types of incidents. We train daily on new techniques and operation of new equipment. When this incident happened, we spun up quickly on different types of aircraft being used in support of the operation and anything else in support of the operation.”
Operations of this type are very important because they further demonstrate the longstanding and close working relationships that the United States has developed with many countries around the world over the years.
“This operation is important because we are helping the Japanese who have become family to us,” said Babirad. “Helping a country that has been good to us has never felt better. This type of operation again proves to the world that the United States does care.”
Operation Tomodachi, or Operation Friendship, in the Japanese translation, means helping friends. For Babirad and the others, it has become more like helping family.
“Being involved with this type of operation, helping the Japanese with whatever is needed, makes me feel great,” said Babirad. “Working closely with the Japanese local nationals everyday at the fire station and helping them with their needs is sad. My thoughts go out to all affected. The Japanese are family to me and it feels great to be there for them.”
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