Ambassador Roos, Defense Minister Kitazawa Travel to the USS Ronald Reagan to Thank U.S. Military

Defense Minister Kitazawa on April 4 views a banner created by U.S. service members in honor of Operation Tomodachi.

Defense Minister Kitazawa on April 4 views a banner created by U.S. service members in honor of Operation Tomodachi.

April 4, 2011

On April 4, U.S. Ambassador John Roos and Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa traveled to the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier off the northeastern coast of Japan to express their gratitude for the work of the U.S. military in support of Operation Tomodachi. Senior U.S. military officials, including Admiral Patrick Walsh, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, accompanied the delegation.

In remarks to the assembled crewmembers, Ambassador Roos said, "We pause to acknowledge the great work you on this deck have done ... but we also acknowledge the long road ahead ... Please never, never forget that our country will be here for you whenever you need us, wherever you need us."

Defense Minister Kitazawa thanked the U.S. service members for coming to the aid of the victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and delivered a message from Prime Minister Kan that paid tribute to the swift and strong support of the United States and to the enduring bonds of the U.S.-Japan Alliance.

The U.S. military will continue to work closely with Japanese authorities to address the tremendous challenges stemming from the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake.