AFNORTH EPLOs deploy in support of voluntary evacuation from Japan

  • Published
  • By Angela Pope
  • Air Forces Northern Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) --  Air Forces Northern National Security Emergency Preparedness Directorate recently 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 in support of Operation Tomodachi.

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, an 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 state and regional officials 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.