was a United States Armed Forces (especially U.S. Forces Japan) assistance operation to support Japan in disaster relief following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The operation took place from 12 March to 4 May 2011; involved 24,000 U.S. servicemembers, 189 aircraft, 24 naval ships; and cost $90 million. Bases and commands Many, if not most, of the U.S. military bases in Japan were involved in some manner in Operation Tomodachi. Yokota Air Base in Fussa, western Tokyo, is the operational command center, and furthermore functions as the aviation hub due to the washout of the Sendai Airport, Miyagi by the tsunami. Kadena Air Base, Okinawa Prefecture is the hub of airpower in the Pacific. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, operated as an aviation hub for many aircraft traveling to northern installations. Camp Fuji Misawa Air Base, Aomori, combined services and Japan Self-Defense Forces Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Kanagawa Prefecture home of CVW-5 and Fleet Air Wing 4 of the JMSDF Camp Zama is the home of U.S. Army Japan and I Corps (Forward) Sasebo Naval Base in Nagasaki Prefecture, and its Expeditionary Strike Group. Yokosuka Naval Base inside of Tokyo Bay, is home to the Seventh Fleet, composed of 11 warships, including and command ship . Task Force Fuji, Camp Fuji Marines and sailors Camp Courtney, Okinawa, operated as the communications post between Okinawa and Japanese mainland Joint operations Col. Stephen Bissonnette, deputy commander of the 353rd SOG stated that "[T]he devastation caused by the earthquake is truly heartbreaking...As part of coordinated relief efforts, the group will work tirelessly with our Japanese counterparts and other relief organizations to help the people affected by the earthquake recover..." The US aid efforts are conducted under the direction of Japanese government or military authorities. Navy The United States Navy quickly responded to provide aid. Aircraft from three FLSW (Fleet logistic Support Wing) squadrons were in theatre during the earthquake at Naval Air Facility Atsugi. VR-62's C-130 delivered 127 tons of material to aid in relief efforts and VR-58's C-40 delivered 366,000 pounds of food and water and 1400 passengers. VR-52's aircrew and maintenance detachment moved Navy patrol and helicopter units directly involved with the search and rescue of survivors in addition to relocating 185 Navy personnel and dependents from the Atsugi-based Carrier Air Group Five to Guam. During this time, the Taskmasters were airborne for 19 out