2 Japan SDF vessels head to disaster-stricken Philippines for 'Operation Tomodachi'

[Bonobo]

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20131119p2a00m0na016000c.html

KURE, Hiroshima -- Two Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) vessels carrying about 700 personnel, as well as transport helicopters and trucks, left Kure base here for the typhoon-hit Philippines on Nov. 18 to join international relief efforts under the codename of "Operation Tomodachi."



The two ships are the "Ise" escort vessel and the "Osumi" transport vessel. They are expected to arrive in the Philippines around Nov. 22. Under the relief operation codenamed "Operation Sankai (which means tomodachi or friendship in Filipino language), a total of about 1,180 personnel -- the SDF's largest overseas aid deployment -- are expected to be sent to the disaster-hit region in the Philippines.

According to the Japanese Ministry of Defense, aboard the two vessels are personal in charge of medical and aviation aid mainly from the Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF), eight choppers including CH-47 transport helicopters, and 30 trucks. Ahead of their departure, Hisanori Sato, commander of the contingent, said, "Because units from the regions hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake are taking part in this mission, we will be able to return their favor. We want to extend high-quality support commensurate to Japan."