MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan — There were no reported injuries or facility damage at Misawa Air Base following Thursday night’s 7.1 magnitude earthquake that shook residents awake, according to Air Force officials.
“We are looking at this as a big earthquake that knocked the power out, and we’re trying to get folks back to normal ASAP,” 35th Fighter Wing spokesman Capt. Darrick Lee said Friday morning.
The base and local community remained without power Friday. Personnel with the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron were working the issue on base.
“Hopefully we get power up soon,” Lee said.
On Friday morning the base leadership released a written update, stating the following:
-- All housing towers were inspected and deemed safe to occupy. However, residents are urged not to use elevators until further notice.
-- Hot water for showers is expected at the Potter Fitness Center by Friday afternoon.
-- Commissary supplies and resupply capabilities are in excellent condition, however, officials are urging residents not to rush to purchase or hoard any items.
-- All Misawa Helps volunteer efforts are suspended.
Lee added that the Emergency Operations Center – which had been put on minimal staffing – was once again fully operational. Unit commanders are conducting personnel accountability checks and have been given authorization to release personnel as they see fit given the lack of power.
Besides the outage at Misawa, U.S. military bases and personnel elsewhere in Japan were unharmed by the quake, and Operation Tomodachi continued uninterrupted, U.S. Forces Japan spokesman Sgt. Major Steven Valley said.
Charlie Reed contributed to this report.
