What+are+we+doing+to+help+those+effected+in+Japan?

==http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/123983/20110317/united-states-support-japan-earthquake-tsunami-response-aid.htm == ==**By IBTimes Staff Reporter **| Mar 17, 2011 12:07 PM EDT ==

U.S. troops and civilian teams have responded to the Japanese government's request to help distribute humanitarian aid supplies and search for survivors in Japan after last Friday's massive 9.0 earthquake and power tsunami. Supplies such as food, water and even diapers have come from as far away as the U.S. east coast aboard cargo planes destined for U.S. military bases in Japan. Supplies have then been transferred by helicopter to some of the hardest hit areas along the northeastern coast of the country. Teams of U.S. airmen, marines and navy personnel have loaded and unloaded supplies and provided logistical support. Others have taken part in airborne search and rescue missions, on the lookout for potential survivors. A pair of civilian search and rescue teams from the U.S. counties of Fairfax, Virginia and Los Angeles, California also taken part. The overall management of the mission is being conducted by U.S. government agencies including the United States Agency for International Development and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. Some of the military transport vehicles on display have included various helicopters including the HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter, the MH-60S Sea Hak helicopter, and the CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter. Planes utilized have included the C-17 cargo carrier, and MC-130H Combat Talon II. On the water the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Ronald Reagan and guided-missile destroyer USS Preble have provided support to helicopters for deliveries.

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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"> ***UPDATE 3:04 P.M.***

The American Red Cross Capital Area Chapter has been put on alert, a spokesman for the agency said Friday.


 * UPDATE 1:47 P.M.***

According to news reports in the Pacific Northwest, at least three people were swept out to see by waves caused by a massive earthquake off the coast of Japan. Two people were saved, but one person is unaccounted for in Crescent City, Calif., near the Oregon border


 * UPDATE 12:11 P.M.***

Federal emergency management and weather officials have scheduled a 12:45 p.m. news conference to discuss the United States' response to the earthquake and tsunami in the Pacific.


 * UPDATE 12:03 P.M.***

Evacuation orders for Hawaiian residents have been lifted, according to emergency officials.


 * UPDATE 11:54 A.M.***

President Barack Obama said the United States will help Japan, which was hit with a massive earthquake as well as a tsunami.

An Navy aircraft carrier is on its way there, he said in a news conference Friday.

Obama also discussed possible effects on gas prices in the United States.


 * UPDATE 9:56 A.M.***

Associated Press quotes scientists who say the earthquake that hit Japan was the fifth larges in the world since 1900.


 * UPDATE 9:48 A.M.***

The first wave of a tsunami has struck the coast of Oregon, the Associated Press reports.


 * UPDATE 9:39 A.M.***

President Barack Obama is now scheduled to hold a new conference regarding the tsunami at 11:30 a.m. The news conference will be shown live on ABC 17.


 * UPDATE 9:31 A.M.***

Reuters reports White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley says danger has passed on the West Coast of the United States.


 * UPDATE 9:21 A.M.***

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama this morning offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in a massive earthquake and resulting tsunami overnight.

"The United States stands ready to help the Japanese people..." Obama said.


 * UPDATE 9:04 A.M.***

Waves of up to 5 feet are expected to hit the California coast within the hour, weather officials say.


 * UPDATE 9:02 A.M.***

Emergency management officials in Alaska report waves of up to 5 feet in some areas.


 * UPDATE 8:59 A.M.***

Residents along the Oregon coast are evacuating amid reports large waves are set to hit the coast Friday morning.

Waves could hit the West Coast by 10 a.m., the Associated Press reports.


 * UPDATE 8:47 A.M.***

The Associated Press reports officials in Washington state are warning people in low-lying areas on the coast to be wary of 3-foot waves expected to hit the area Friday morning.

Officials are handing fliers warning "this is not a drill."


 * ORIGINAL STORY***

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A tsunami advisory spawned by the massive earthquake in Japan is prompting some beach closures in Southern California.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department says Malibu beach will be closed Friday as a precaution.

Police say Newport Beach in Orange County also will be closed.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department says county beaches will be open but extra officers will be on patrol.

Areas south of Point Conception in Santa Barbara County area under a tsunami advisory.

The National Weather Service says wave heights of about 2 feet are expected.

President Barack Obama is scheduled to hold a news conference at 10:15 a.m. in Washington, D.C. The news conference will be shown live on ABC 17.