CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — The U.S. Navy has created a handbook to aid returning military families who fled Japan’s natural disaster and subsequent nuclear crisis.

Last week, the Department of Defense ended the voluntary evacuation program that flew families back to United States in the weeks following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami when many feared the damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant could spew radiation across central Japan.

The Navy handbook for those who will now be returning includes sections on processing travel claims, legal matters, dealing with pets and schooling procedures.

The handbook can be viewed online here.

From staff reports