EPLOs deploy in support of voluntary evacuation from Japan

  • Published
  • By Angela Pope
  • AFNORTH Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Air Forces Northern National Security Emergency Preparedness Directorate deployed two emergency preparedness liaison officers in support of the voluntary authorized departure of military dependents from Japan to the U.S., and is poised to support with others if tasked.

The military assisted departure of U.S. military dependents from Japan is part of Operation Tomodachi, the Department of Defense's effort to assist the people of Japan. The operation was launched in response to the 9.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan March 11 and the subsequent tsunami that devastated the country and left multiple nuclear power plants damaged.

The EPLOs are now on station at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle and the Denver International Airport. Joint recovery coordination centers have been set up at each airport to assist the military dependents as they arrive in the states and transition to their next location.

"NSEP began preparing to provide assistance as soon as news of the earthquake broke," said Rick Bacon, AFNSEP watch officer. "We contacted our EPLOs this weekend and sent them out the door as soon as possible."

The EPLOs report to and support U.S. Army North's defense coordinating officer in charge of each JRCC.

"Their deployment is a unique assignment," Mr. Bacon said. "They could be responsible for any number of duties. Ultimately though, their job is to help take care of the military dependents returning home."

Air Force EPLOs are senior Air Force reserve officers who are subject matter experts in state and regional disaster response plans, advising states and regions on Air Force capabilities that may be used during disaster responses.

EPLOs are geographically assigned to each state and the 10 FEMA Regional Coordination Centers. The officers come from a wide range of career fields including air operations, logistics, medical, security forces and public affairs.