Marine Bases Japan spared by earthquake

U.S. Forces prepare for humanitarian relief operations.

What is being called Japan’s largest earthquake in 100 years struck the country’s main island Friday afternoon, but the effect on Marine installations was minimal, according to a Headquarters Marine Corps spokesman.

“There have been no reports of casualties as far as Marines go,” 1st Lt. Joshua Diddams said Friday morning.

Major Marine installations are located on the southern island of Okinawa, hundreds of miles away from the epicenter of the 8.9 magnitude quake which originated off the coast of northern Japan. Precautions were taken, however, as a Tsunami bore down on Okinawa and was expected to strike as far away as Hawaii and the western United States.

“In response to Friday’s earthquake in Japan and subsequent tsunami warning, Marine Corps Bases Japan has activated its Base Emergency Operations Center to monitor the situation and coordinate Marine Corps actions,” a Marine news release stated.

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