Written by Lynn Goya,

The Pentagon reports that all military personnel in Japan are accounted for after the 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan on Friday.  Geoff Morrell, Press Secretary for the  U.S. Pacific Command released the report after briefing U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who was in Brussels attending a NATO meeting discussing the Afghanistan war.

Morrell also said that none of the three bases in Japan reported sustaining any major damage. The Air Force has three bases in Japan at Yokota, Misawa and Kadena.  The U.S. Navy’s 7^th Fleet has its base in Yokosuka.

The release stated that the only base to evacuate was Misawa’s CTF-72 (Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force) headquarters.  The power remains out, but the base is operating using a generator. In anticipation of the expected tsunami, CTF-76 (Amphibious Force) headquartered at White Beach in Ikinawa moved to Kadena Air Base because of its higher elevation.

Three of the fleet’s ships, the Essex, Blue Ridge and Tortuga, are in the process of leaving their current positions to safer waters.

Apparently, the most damage was sustained by two submarines whose mooring lines broke free and floated away from the pier, but no damage was reported to the submarines.

Although no significant damage was sustained by the military, 60 civilians have reportedly died due to the quake.  As the area continues to suffer aftershocks that cause ripple effects around the world, FEMA administrator Craig Fugate issued tsunami warnings to U.S. territories including Guam, Northern Marianas Island and the U.S. coastal waters of Hawaii and the entire Pacific Coast.  He urged locals to pay attention to the news and prepare to evacuate if necessary.  Military ships and the Coast Guard remain on standby to respond as necessary.