In 2011 , USS '' Tortuga '' participated in disaster relief after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami . As part of '' Operation Tomodachi '' , the ship transported Japanese Self-Defense Force servicemen and equipment from Hokkaido to Honshu island . Divers from the ship helped map and clear debris from the ports of Hachinohe , Aomori and Miyako , Iwate , facilitating both ports to reopen to ship traffic
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
USS Tortuga (LSD-46)