Senior Master Sgt. Robert Childress, right, directs family members from Japan to the Seattle-Tacoma (Wash.) International Airport USO on March 19, 2011. More than 230 DoD personnel and family members landed at Sea-Tac in what is to be the first flight of many arriving from Japan. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

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Caleb Velazquez, 5, left, and his sister Aubri, 8, and friend Jess Alexander check on Alexander's dogs as Monica Peck and Lt. Col. Michael Husfelt, 627th Air Base Group chaplain, look on March 19, 2011, at Seattle-Tacoma (Wash.) International Airport. More than 230 Department of Defense personnel and family members landed at Sea-Tac in what is to be the first flight of many arriving from Japan. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

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Military personnel help military family members from Japan fill out paperwork at Seattle-Tacoma (Wash.) International Airport on March 19, 2011. More than 230 Department of Defense personnel and family members landed at Sea-Tac in what is to be the first flight of many arriving from Japan. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

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A woman clutches a disaster preparedness folder while waiting at the Seattle-Tacoma (Wash.) International Airport USO on March 19, 2011. More than 230 Department of Defense personnel and family members landed at Sea-Tac in what is to be the first flight of many arriving from Japan. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

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Military personnel and family members from Japan are directed to the USO at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Wash., on March 19, 2011. More than 230 Department of Defense personnel and family members landed at Sea-Tac in what is to be the first flight of many arriving from Japan. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

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Lt. Col. Michael Husfelt, 627th Air Base Group chaplain, helps unload baggage from a carousel March 19, 2011, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Wash. More than 230 Department of Defense personnel and family members landed at Sea-Tac in what is to be the first flight of many arriving from Japan. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

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A woman retrieves a bag from a carousel at the Seattle-Tacoma (Wash.) International Airport on March 19, 2011. More than 230 Department of Defense personnel and family members landed at Sea-Tac in what is to be the first flight of many arriving from Japan. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

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People head to the USO at Seattle-Tacoma (Wash.) International Airport after collecting their baggage March 19, 2011. More than 230 Department of Defense personnel and family members landed at Sea-Tac in what is to be the first flight of many arriving from Japan. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

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McChord Airmen support first voluntary departure flight from Japan

Published March 19, 2011
By Laura McAndrews
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASH. -- Members of Team McChord helped welcome 233 Department of Defense personnel and family members who voluntarily departed Japan after a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck the island March 11.

"This is a tremendous team effort from the entire Joint Base community aimed at easing a difficult time for DoD families," said Col. Kevin Kilb, 62nd Airlift Wing commander.

The first wave of family members, including 190 children and nine pets, arrived at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) March 19.

The operation, led by U.S. Army North and carried out by Team McChord Airmen as well as Soldiers, Sailors and the USO, received, accounted for, and provided immediate support to DOD family members as they arrived in the U.S.

"It was a long flight with lots of turbulence," said one passenger, "I'm happy to be on the ground, I'm happy to be here, and I'll really be happy when I make it to my family in Atlanta."

The 10-hour flight took off from Yokota Air Base, Japan, and is the first of many expected to bring family members from the country.

After arrival and customs, passengers were met by members of the 62nd Airlift Wing, the 627th Air Base Group, Joint-Base Lewis-McChord, the USO and Naval Base Kitsap, who helped them with their luggage and escorted them to the Joint Reception Coordination Center.

At the Joint Reception Coordination Center a support team of members of several military services assisted travelers with financial concerns, travel arrangements to final destinations, and legal and medical assistance.

"Everyone's been really helpful," said a military spouse traveling with her two daughters. "It may look like chaos with all these people in here at once but it's nice to know there's this much support."

Staff Sgt. Nickolas Milton, 62nd AW Comptroller Squadron, said he was glad to be part of the operation.

"I've been able to help with some finance questions," said Sergeant Milton. "Finance is the last thing people need to worry about during a situation like this."

The next flight is expected to arrive on Monday with additional flights planned.

"I'm proud of the team and their great work and pleased we have the opportunity to welcome and take care of these family members," said Colonel Kilb. "We're very grateful of the heroic support of the USO at SEATAC."