8/7/2019 16 March VADM Myers Meeting Summary

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SUMMARY of Update Meeting with VADM Myers16 March 2011, 1900-2000

Wednesday night VADM Myers, Commander, Naval Air Forces, held a meeting

with Reagan Strike Group and other units' family members. He had medicaland other technical staff experts present, along with other senior commanders.The admiral explained that while he’s not in charge of the operations in Japan,he wanted to ensure that family members know that what our Navy team isdoing there is making a difference and that the safety of our personnelunderscores every mission we conduct. It is a very dynamic and challengingenvironment there, but our leaders on scene have the appropriate informationto make the right decisions for the safety of our force while conducting thisimportant mission. The admiral also wanted to assure family members thattheir concerns are being heard and to use the command ombudsmen to getquestions answered in a timely manner. Also, VADM Myers is planning to

provide another update next week, and the details will be provided by theombudsmen as soon as we finalize them. Please keep in touch with yourcommand ombudsmen.

Below is a summary of the questions and concerns that were addressed lastnight:

  Officials are closely monitoring the weather patterns and winds and moveour ships and aircrafts as necessary to avoid the windline from theFukushima Power Plant. REAGAN and the other ships are operating at safedistances, well off-shore from that area. This is an important mission thatwe will conduct safely. Navy ships and aircraft can easily and quickly 

reposition as the conditions on scene change, and our aircraft are followingestablished no-fly zones. Navy helicopters are NOT flying over theFukushima plant. The Japanese military has helicopters that are similar towhat we use.

  Aircraft and aircrews returning from missions ashore are being monitoredcarefully for contamination and are conducting decontamination proceduresas necessary when detected. These measures are as simple as washing withsoap and water to remove the contamination. Low-level contamination waseasily removed from 17 helicopter aircrew members by washing with soapand water and had no further contamination detected. A small number of 

other aircrew members have been provided potassium iodide as aprecautionary measure by our Navy physicians. This will be documented intheir records. We have adequate supplies of potassium iodide for ourpersonnel if the conditions warrant taking it. The levels of contaminationthat have been observed are very low, with little to no long term risk.

8/7/2019 16 March VADM Myers Meeting Summary

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  On USS RONALD REAGAN, the ship’s drinking water was briefly 

suspended. This was a precaution when the ship detected a very low levelcontamination. Additional tests determined that the detection was a false-positive. The drinking water onboard was NOT contaminated and remainssafe for drinking.

  Changes to deployment schedules cannot be determined at this time. Wedon’t discuss specific schedules this far out for operational security. It isearly in deployment so we don’t anticipate extensions at this time. Planned

port calls and their remaining schedule will have to be reviewed dependingon duration of mission in Japan. We do not know how long this missionwill continue. This is an important mission and we are making a differencefor our friends in Japan.

  We have observed very low-level amounts of external contamination only,and those areas are easily decontaminated by washing down with soap. Wecan’t speculate on what may change with the conditions there, but thecommanders on scene are well informed, engaged and will make the right

decisions to ensure the protection of our forces. This will includeconducting drills to make sure everyone is tested and ready. As the

conditions do change, we will take the right precautionary measures tomake sure our personnel are safe.

  Most Sailors will remain on the ship conducting their normal duties. TheSailors who will go ashore are mainly aircrew supporting the distribution of relief supplies. They will take the appropriate precautionary measures andwill be monitored for exposure.

  We have well-established supply lines to keep our personnel well-supplied.Those supplies are monitored and safe. Additionally, mail coming off theship is also monitored, so mail from your Sailor is safe.