MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- It is high tide, and as a storm brews in the clouds above, white-capped waves lash at the hull of a boat as it cuts through them and heads out to sea. A Sailor mans the helm and scans the red horizon, while an armed Marine stands vigilant by his side.
The 15 Sailors who make up the surface division of the Airfield and Harbor operations department provide harbor security for the waters surrounding Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Twenty-four hours-a-day the sailors keep a watchful eye on the waters near the airfield by regularly patrolling the harbor.
"When out on the patrols, we look for unauthorized vessels in the restricted area, any suspicious behavior and boats that are in trouble," said Petty Officer 3rd class Scott Evans, Surface Division boatswain mate.
When not patrolling, the Sailors tend to other important tasks in and around the harbor.
"When a fuel tanker pulls into the harbor we aid the ship and its crew as they pull the ship into dock and moor it up," said Petty Officer 1st class Gene Schultz, Surface Division harbor navigator. "Before any fuel is pumped we encircle the ship with a floating barrier to ensure that any spilled fuel does not contaminate the surrounding waters.
In case of an emergency the Surface Division has the training required to handle fuel spills. They are also trained to respond to any crash landings in the surrounding waters and to aid in the evacuation of noncombatants.
"During any noncombatant evacuation operation we stay in radio contact with the high speed vessel that transports everyone and then guide it up to the docks," said Schultz. "Actually, during this last Noncombatant Evacuation Operation one of our Sailors had to assist the HSV's crew with their anchor line which was caught on the ship's keel."
The Surface Division also provides transportation for Explosive Ordnance Disposal Marines here, according to Schultz.
"We utilize our Landing Craft Mechanized to get EOD and their gear out to 'Himeko-jima' where they do what they do best," said Schultz. "Also sometimes personnel from the Branch Medical Clinic or a veterinarian may be needed at another base, and if it's faster to go across the water we'll take them in one of the utility boats."
"Just recently we were able to assist a Matthew C. Perry marine biology class by transporting them out to open waters so they could conduct various water tests," said Schultz. "We were glad to be able to help out the kids, while saving the school some money."
Doing their part to strengthen the security of the Station and helping out the community gives the Sailors of the Surface Division "a sense of pride in what we do," said Evans.