Staff Sgt. Tyson Reams packs equipment onto an HH-60 Pavehawk March 13, 2011, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, before taking off for mainland Japan. More than 100 Airmen from Kadena AB are providing medical attention and helping to restore electric power in support of disaster relief operations after the recent earthquake and tsunami. Sergeant Reams is a flight engineer and gunner assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Lakisha A. Croley)

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Capt. Thomas Stengl completes pre-flight checks on an HH-60 Pavehawk March 13, 2010, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, before flying to mainland Japan. Members from the 33rd Rescue Squadron are assisting in search and rescue operations following the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Captain Stengl is an HH-60 Pavehawk pilot assigned to the 33rd RQS. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Lakisha A. Croley)

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Map of Japan

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Air Force responds to earthquake in Japan

Published March 11, 2011

SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates reports U.S. military personnel in Japan are accounted for after the massive 8.9 earthquake and tsunami that struck March 11.

"As best we can tell, all of our people are okay, our ships and military facilities are all in pretty good shape," Mr. Gates said.

Meanwhile, families around the world are scrambling for any information related to their loved ones in the region.

"I haven't heard from my son," Ann Blake posted to the Armed Forces News Misawa Facebook page. "He was supposed to be working all weekend, but like all other moms I would so love to hear that he is okay and safe."

AFN Misawa staff members are posting Facebook updates as they are available.

"No injuries have been reported at Misawa," the outlet posted via Facebook. "Phone and internet lines are down-communication is spotty at best."

Yokota Air Base personnel also report good news through the base's Facebook page.

"There have been no injuries to Yokota personnel as a result of the earthquake," they report. "Phone lines are busy. E-mail seems to be the best means to make contact."

Official information regarding people and the current situation in Japan is available at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5378.html.

The Red Cross has a website called "Safe and Well" that enables people who register to let family and friends know that they are safe. This website, https://safeandwell.communityos.org, is designed to help make that communication easier.

Further Air Force updates will be posted here.

Map of Japan

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