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March 12, 2011

In Photos: Urban Search and Rescue Team Deploying to Japan

Posted by: Public Affairs

Yesterday, one of our updates about the Japan earthquake and tsunami highlighted the two Urban Search and Rescue teams deploying to support search and rescue operations. The teams are deploying at the request of the Japanese government, under the direction of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

The photos below are courtesy of the Virginia Task Force 1 team (VA-TF1) as they make final preparations. See more about the VA-TF1 team on Facebook or their website:


A team member preparing to leave.
A VA-TF1 team member prepares his gear. (Photo courtesy of Fairfax County)

Photo of search and rescue equipment.
Search and rescue equipment of the VA-TF1 team. (Photo courtesy of Fairfax County)


One of six Virginia Task Force 1 dogs being deployed on search and rescue efforts in Japan.
One of six Virginia Task Force 1 dogs being deployed on search and rescue efforts in Japan. (Photo courtesy of Fairfax County)

Al Jazeera, CNN, local news media and others visited with the team before it departed.
Al Jazeera, CNN, local news media and others visited with the team before it departed. (Photo courtesy of Fairfax County)

VA-TF1 gear ready for the mission.
Some of the gear of the VA-TF1 team. (Photo courtesy of Fairfax County)

15 comments:

  1. Praise god for our well trained teams.....god bless you & be safe!

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  2. GodSpeed to all creatures deploying, great and small.. We're already proud of you..

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  3. Godspeed and be safe. You are doing what so many of us would do if we were able to be there to help.
    Bless the men, women and dogs of Fairfax Search & Rescue! Bravery and Love in action.

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  4. You are our heroes...please know you have a team of "Angels on Earth" praying for your safety...and for miracles!

    God bless

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  5. What is the current and forcasted weather from japan and why no predictive modeling of probable radiactive fall-out?

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  6. Does anyone consider all the intelligence coming form japan and alert the alaskan peninsula and western us?

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  7. FEMA is a fantastic resource and some of the best firefighters I have ever worked with are on those teams.They are hampered only by administrative constraints that consider only the implications of liability.

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  8. The lack of specific info coming from Japan resembles that of Russia. One is insulated by land, the other ocean. Neither can control the weather. Look at the tradewinds and ask questions.

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  9. Best of luck to all team members. Be safe out there !

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  10. When the world needs protection, they call the US military. When the world needs help, they call the US USAR teams. You are the best! Be safe and God Bless you!

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  11. God Bless you all! Be safe!

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  12. To all the "true" Super Men, Wonder Women and Super Dog's of our beloved country... stay safe, our prayers are with you. God Bless Us All

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  13. READ! -------> maybe we can rescue japan if we use snow machines to cool down the cooling system in the nuclear power station! <------- READ!

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  14. Our prayers are with you. God bless. Be safe, we're proud of all of you. (Search and Rescue specialist, Puerto Rico State EMA).

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  15. You're the true heroes. Good Luck and God Bless! (Former Police EDD Handler)

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