Operation Pacific Passage happened so quickly! America responded instantaneously to a crisis that occurred in one of our allied nations. As a volunteer of this operation, I was limited to assisting returning families from Japan. Sometimes when I’m caught in the moment of helping others, I always feel like there is more that I can do and want to do. Nevertheless, the volunteers at Travis AFB (including myself) assisted more than 2,600 passengers and 150 pets through the passenger terminal here on our installation. My primary role was to register family members as they arrived to the installation in order to assist their medical needs in our hospital.
Whatever the families needed, we provided. We assisted with things like entertaining kids while parents took care of other needs, ensuring shelves were stocked with food for everyone, carrying luggage to final destinations, etc. Being involved in a large operation in a small way may seem like the entire world to one person. So I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to take part in such a large operation that is a part of history.
The US authorized family members to return to Japan a few weeks later. Our volunteer team did not have much participation in their departure back to Japan because families were located throughout the nation. Although I intended to volunteer with the Red Cross, I was unable to do so because of an unforeseen event that occurred. Nonetheless, my efforts were appreciated by family members in whom some thanked me personally for my compassion and professionalism. I must say that Travis AFB as a whole did an outstanding job. Go Team Travis!!
