Asia-Pacific

US sends aircraft carrier to Japan for quake relief

Updated: 2011-03-12 09:34

WASHINGTON -- US President Barack Obama on Thursday said he has sent an aircraft carrier to Japan to assist the country in the wake of a devastating earthquake. He said there 's no major damage to the United States from a tsunami caused by the massive quake.

At a White House press conference, Obama called the earthquake and tsunami "catastrophic," and said the United States is prepared to send assistance to Japan.

"We currently have an aircraft carrier in Japan, and another is on the way," Obama said. "We also have a ship en route to the Marianas Island to assist as needed."

According to the White House, Obama received a briefing in the morning on the earthquake in Japan and the tsunami warnings across the Pacific from a number of senior U.S. government officials including Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate via phone. Chief of Staff Bill Daley, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security John Brennan and National Security Advisory Tom Donilon were also on hand to brief Obama.

The officials provided the President with an update on the evolving situation stemming from the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Japan including the actions being taken to assist US states and territories that could be affected by the tsunami, as well as the work being done to be prepared to assist Japan.

Japan has requested U.S. assistance through the State Department. Pentagon spokeswoman Leslie Hull-Ryde said defense officials are "assessing the situation and positioning forces so that they are ready to respond and provide disaster relief if directed."

According the Pentagon, the USS Tortuga, in Sasebo, Japan, is preparing to load landing craft and to leave for the disaster areas as early as this evening. The USS Essex, with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, this morning. The ship is preparing to depart as early as this evening. The USS Blue Ridge, in Singapore, is taking on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies and preparing to depart Saturday morning. The USS Ronald Reagan carrier strike group, at sea in the western Pacific on its way to Korea, can respond if directed.

"We are watching the situation closely and will adjust the track as required," Hull-Ryder said.

U.S. forces stationed in Japan has already been mobilized. Airmen and volunteers at the Yokota air base helped more than 500 commercial airline passengers whose flights were diverted to their base after the earthquake struck off the Japanese coast.

Several commercial aircraft were diverted to the base after Narita International Airport in Tokyo closed. Some 11 aircraft landed at the base, and more than 500 passengers were transported to the base recreation center where food, water and cots were available.

A Red Cross website called "Self and Well" is available for people who register to let family and friends know they are safe.

Earlier in the morning, Obama issued a statement this morning pledging any help Japan may need from the United States and announcing that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is preparing for potential tsunami-response operations in the United States and its territories.

A devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 jolted northeastern and eastern Japan on Friday, believed to be one of the largest ever observed in the country. The quake and the tsunami it triggered have caused heavy casualties and inflicted severe losses on the country. Tsunami waves have reached Hawaii and grazed the U.S. West Coast.

"Today's events remind us of just how fragile life can be. Our hearts go out to our friends in Japan and across the region, and we are going to stand with them as they recover and rebuild from this tragedy," Obama said at the press conference.