U.S. military airlifts water to Kumamoto earthquake victims

U.S. Forces Japan has airlifted approximately 16 tons of drinking water to assist victims of the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28. Using KC-130 transport aircraft, the military moved roughly 33,000 bottles of water from Yokota Air Base in Tokyo to the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force’s Vice Camp Takayubaru in Mashiki.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass inspected the operation and met with Kumamoto Governor Takashi Kimura to confirm the handover of supplies. Ambassador Glass stated that the United States responded to a request from “our closest friend and ally,” noting that the two nations have a history of mutual assistance during crises.

The relief effort follows a pattern of cooperation seen during previous disasters, including the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, and the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi remarked that the assistance demonstrates the strength of the bilateral bond and the effectiveness of the cooperative relationship.