US Military May Evacuate Troops From Japan Naval Base

An unidentified defense official tells CNN the military may order the evacuation of American troops from the naval base in Yokosuka, Japan. United States officials are concerned about radioactive material being released from damaged fuel rods at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

U.S. Pacific Command Adm. Robert Willard tells Stars and Stripes news that a mandatory evacuation of the base is unlikely. “We absolutely don’t expect it. In fact, I’m trying to see if the reactor accidents stabilize, so that I can bring our forces and the families back to Yokosuka,” Willard said. “But we certainly have the plan for the worst and consider those things you would expect of any senior command.”

Meanwhile, family members of military personnel are voluntarily evacuating Yokosuka. Chartered military flights out of Japan began Saturday and will continue for the foreseeable future, according to military officials. Flights arrived Tuesday at Travis Air Force Base in California with nearly 350 on board.

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