Team Minot Airman deploys to Japan

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica McConnell
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  When something as catastrophic as Japan's recent earthquake and tsunami disaster occur, nothing is more powerful than the images of the aftereffects flashing across computer and television screens everywhere.

This event will be sure to go down in the history books. The vast amount of stories and images produced are what will be used to support that documentation.

United States military forces are currently providing humanitarian aid to the stricken nation. Servicemembers are working around the clock to help the unfortunate people affected by the disaster.

Documenting this relief effort is Air Force Global Strike Command Senior Airman Michael Veloz, 5th Bomb Wing public affairs photographer.

To date, Airman Veloz is the only Team Minot Airman to have the opportunity to take part in Operation Tomodachi.

This is his first deployment since his enlistment four and a half years ago.

"I haven't participated in any other mission or operation like this before," he said. "I decided to volunteer because I wanted to help first-hand in the relief efforts the U.S. is providing Japan after this horrific natural disaster."

Many are proud of Airman Veloz for his decision to support this operation, including the chief of the Minot Air Force Base public affairs.

"It's a complete honor to have an outstanding Airman like Senior Airman Veloz representing Minot Air Force Base and Air Force Global Strike Command in such a positive manner," said Capt. Genieve David, 5th BW chief of public affairs. "His images are documenting history and also will be a direct link in showing the devastation struck in Japan, as well as Japan and U.S. relief operations. Because of those images, someone may feel truly touched and contribute money to disaster relief organizations that will aid the country."

After getting word that he was deploying, Airman Veloz left for Japan two days later on March 18. When he arrived, he didn't expect to see what he did.

"I expected to see nothing but destruction, but the local area near Yokota Air Base is pretty unaffected," he said. "However, the area near Sendai is still in trouble. There are C-130s and C-17s flying daily missions from Yokota to Sendai to provide supplies such as food, water and blankets."

Airman Veloz was happy to have this opportunity before he left, but upon arrival, that willingness to deploy quickly turned into pride.

"After I got here, I felt honored to take part in this important operation," he said. "To be considered an asset to the mission in a capacity such as this is a bit overwhelming, but important for me as a young Airman in this career field. Seeing real world missions carried out over here is unreal. It just goes to show how awesome our military is."

It is important to document the mission in Japan, as it is to document any military mission. It is the public affairs mission to ensure the world knows what U.S. forces can do during a time of such tragedy.

"Our job is to communicate, whether through words or photo or video, about the U.S. efforts supporting Operation Tomodachi in Japan," said Captain David. "It is through those images that we can convey to the American public and international audiences that support is needed for our Japanese friends."

As far as Airman Veloz's mission as a photographer is concerned, he said he now understands how necessary it is for him to be in Japan.

"I think it's extremely important to have a photographer and journalist mission here," said Airman Veloz. "The local public affairs office is short-manned and cannot provide photo support to both the daily base mission as well as the Operation Tomodachi mission."

Documenting this relief effort is also a very important part of his motivation to be there.

"There are so many people who need help out here, and to have just the local public affairs shop tasked to tell the story seems near impossible," he said. "The volunteers coming from all over the Air Force is alleviating a lot of the added stress."

Airman Veloz will be in Japan for anywhere from 30 to 90 days and said he hopes to accomplish many things while there.

"I hope to successfully tell the story from a first-hand experience," he said. "From photos to stories, it will be a great opportunity to grow as a photographer and as a person overall."