Sunday Morning, March 13

Aaron was called up this morning. He is headed to Okinawa (small island south of mainland Japan which largely dodged the bullet) to pick up supplies and deliver them to Misawa. Misawa is an American Air Base north of here and a lot closer to the epicenter and close to the nuclear power plant that's been struggling.

We woke up to a beautiful day here at Yokota, we live about a mile from the flight line and without even heading outside I can tell there are planes that have already arrived, it was a noisy night last night!

The following is an update from the US Embassy regarding travel information:

· Aftershocks can be expected and may be severe. U.S. citizens should take basic earthquake safety precautions.
· The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo issued a warden message to alert U.S. citizens residing or travelling in Fukushima Prefecture in Japan that the Japan Nuclear Industrial Safety Agency (NISA) has recommended that people who live within 20 kilometers of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Okumacho evacuate the area immediately.

· We have no reports of U.S. citizens killed or injured in the earthquake.

· Miyagi prefecture, which was nearest the epicenter of the earthquake, suffered the most severe damage. Okinawa and Sapporo report no damage from the earthquake. South Hokkaido has reported flooding along its shoreline.

· Our Embassy and Consulates in Japan are working to obtain information on the status of U.S. citizens and to provide assistance as necessary.

· If you have concerns about a specific U.S. citizen in Japan, please send us an email at JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov.

· Although telephone lines may be disrupted, you may want to try contacting your loved one by email, text (SMS) message, or other social media.

Transportation

· In Tokyo, Narita airport is open. For the most current information on airport operations, please visit the Narita International Airport Authority website at http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/.
· All airports are experiencing disruption in flights.
· Nagoya, Chitose/Sapporo, Yamagata, Akita, Aomori, Niigata, and Kansai airports are open
· Hanamaki (Morioka) – Open only for relief effort
· Kukushima is open with limited flights
· Misawa – no commercial flights operating
· Sendai airport is closed
· Flights are being diverted to open airports; contact your airline for details.
· Most Tokyo subways and light rail are operating, but with delays.
· JR East Rail service has been restored on the Joetsu-Nagano bullet train line (south and west of Tokyo). All service north of Tokyo is still suspended.

Airline/real-time travel planner: http://naa.ivcreation.com/pc_us/ (Narita & Haneda OPEN w/many delays/call Airlines for details)

Trains: http://traininfo.jreast.co.jp/train_info/e/kanto.aspx (Utsunomiya Line suspended/all others have delays) or use www.hyperdia.com

Roads: http://www.jartic.or.jp/ (all Tokyo City Junctions are Purple/Rainbow Bridge Junction is RED)..translated version (http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jartic.or.jp%2Ftraffic%2Fhighway%2Ftoukai.html)

FSS Narita Shuttle: Resumed w/mass travel delays (Call 225-7720 for details)

Tokyo Hotels: http://www.tokyohotelsjapan.net/

After Hours Contacts: YAB/CP: 225-3740; YAB/LRS:225-9402

I also have an e-mail out to the DoS center asking for better ones...spoke to PA at the Battle staff (225-9328) and they only suggested Hyperdia or base webpage that suggests Eagle FM (225-9008/who is closed).



This is it for now. Plan on going to church in a little bit. The phone lines are more stable now so calls are being received and are going out a little better. If you call and we don't answer, please leave a message and I will find a way to contact you again either through email, facebook or return call.


Many have asked about us and the kids in particular. They are currently building a town out of cardboard boxes and playing as usual. We have limited the TV dramatically, haven't turned it on at all today actually. They are adjusting well have been sleeping at night and really haven't noticed much of a change in them.

Please know we are safe, we are healthy, we still have power and water, we are fine. Please continue to pray, the nuclear reactors are still having problems and surrounding areas are being evacuated, but we are about 250 miles south and west and with the trade winds, we are out of danger. Thank you so much for all your prayers.


Love to all