rippin kid Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 My new son in law is headed to Japan 3:00 EST with the Fairfax VA Urban Rescue Team. They all got activated this afternoon and my daughter called and said Brian would be leaving from the Dulles Airport 3:00. They travel on one of those huge Air Force transport planes and bring everything they'll need with them. The last time they were called out of country was for Haiti's earthquake. Brain is a Fireman in Fairfax and runs the crane for the Rescue Team. God Bless them and keep them safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 Thankful for his service especially in humanitarian support - Prayers are with him and his fellow team members... GG ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHL Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 Godspeed and safety to him and the SAR crews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 God keep him, and all, safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rippin kid Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share Posted March 14, 2011 Update from my daughter, Hello All, I thought this would be easier then calling each one of you to update you on Brian's situation. I just got off the teleconference with Joe Knerr from Japan about 8 AM their time. They landed in northern Japan at their Air base.They are 200 miles north of the nuclear reactor which we are all worried about. The team is also with the LA team as well as United Kingdom and Australia. They were given hot meals, allowed to take a shower and slept till about 3AM their time. They will be leaving soon for Ofunaeo a coastal town about 120 miles south of where the air base is. They expect it to take about 6 hours depending on the roads conditions which are unknown at this time. Because of this they are sending a crew with equipment via helicopter to make sure they have a crew on the ground to help. The town has lost all communication with anyone so it is unaware of the towns condition. The water has receded and they don't expect to have to use the boats they brought with them. I know I was worried about the radiation but my uncle (US Department of Energy)and grandpa (Nuclear Engineer) have assured me that its not as bad as the media is making it out to be. The chief on the phone did express that they are aware of the dangers so they will have monitoring equipment with them that is just for radiation. These calls will happen every night at 7 so I will send emails after each one to keep you informed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Prayers for him and all the members - Thanks be to the Lord that some people have the cajones to do such things... GG ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Pony Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Rippin relay thoughts and prayers for his humanitarian service. Ref the radiation from what I've heard and seen the two forms or radiation they are dealing with now are tritium and hydrogen. From what I understand the former has a half life of days and the latter seconds so neither is supposed to be a great hazard. The one they havent had trouble with yet, cesium, is what everyone is afraid of. One can only wonder how the people of that nation will rebuild but you can bet it will be a stronger and even more modern country. To any and all of the men and women who serve by defending and protecting others, stay safe and God speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Rippin relay thoughts and prayers for his humanitarian service. Ref the radiation from what I've heard and seen the two forms or radiation they are dealing with now are tritium and hydrogen. From what I understand the former has a half life of days and the latter seconds so neither is supposed to be a great hazard. The one they havent had trouble with yet, cesium, is what everyone is afraid of. One can only wonder how the people of that nation will rebuild but you can bet it will be a stronger and even more modern country. To any and all of the men and women who serve by defending and protecting others, stay safe and God speed. Yup - Been to Japan a couple times: The Japanese people are incredibly resilent and focused - they will repair Japan even better! GG ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deacon Henry Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 May your son-in-law and the others be safe from harm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHL Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 I'm glad to hear that they are on the ground and getting prepared. Stay safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kidd AtHeart SASS # 74179 Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 God bless him for his calling and devotion to helping others ! Kid AtHeart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B. T. Blade, SASS #35685Life Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 We'll keep him in our prayers.......along with the Japanese people and all the others who are heading over to help. God Bless 'em! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rippin kid Posted March 15, 2011 Author Share Posted March 15, 2011 Update 3/14 The team arrived at 6pm Japanese time to a town 10 mile outside of their final designation. They weren't allowed to start working due to the unknown situation of the town. They set up camp at a local elementary school, they have power but no heat. ( Thank goodness Brian likes to sleep in the cold) This is on high ground. While they set up shop the chiefs met with the local fire department who assigned the team to a 1 square mile of land that is just a pile of ruble. The tsunami swept the whole town into this large pile. Most homes are of wood frame construction so it should be easy to cut through. The team has been accompanied by USAID and Department of Energy officials who are using their background to keep the guys safe. Since it is a 13 hour time difference they guys were on the ground and finally able to get out and start doing what they are good at. They have not been able to set up email capability so the hope that we will be able to send emails to the guys is slim. That is all for tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.J. Helms Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 rippin kid: Do you know if they have any amateur radio operations coming out/going in the area your son-in-law is working out of? Just a thought from an operator here, but if you know a local ham where you live who can monitor communications traffic in/out of the area, you may be able to keep up with even more details on a more frequent basis. Just an idea and a bit of a long shot. More than anything, a big thanks to your son-in-law and all those involved around the world in helping the Japanese people. All in my prayers today! J.J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rippin kid Posted March 16, 2011 Author Share Posted March 16, 2011 I have had the nightly teleconfrence with the team and here are the updates... As of now there have been no survivors found, just deceased The climate is 23 degrees and snow, they still don't have heat so it must be cold and not being able to warm up during the evening must be hard They completed their assignment before dark and headed back to the BOO (Base of Operations) 1/2 of their cache has been sent back to the airforce base which could mean the guys will come home sooner than 2 weeks! If they are reasigned they will not go any farther south then they are right now There has been no increase in radiation levels That is all for tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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