EVENT [MN]: Black Tide

[Owen]

A message would be sent back to the Japanese.

"Dear Rear Admiral Kuruma,

We thank you for your reaching out and dispatchment of the humantarian fleet. You may use Devonport Naval Base as a base of operations. We do ask that you focus your relief efforts on high priority countries though due to you tranversing the area we ask you check on the following countries/territories and do some surveillance around them with what I hope, aircraft you have onboard. Check on the extent of damage and the accessibility of aircraft and watercraft. They are:
- Nauru
- Vanuatu
- New Caledonia
- Papua New Guinea
- Solomon Islands
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Guam
- Marshall Islands
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Palau
- Norfolk Island

We thank you for your efforts and hope to see you soon.

Sincerely,
Rear Admiral Fred Wilson
Chief of Naval Staff, Royal New Zealand Navy."

 

[Suvorov]

PACIFIC OCEAN, EAST OF THE PHILIPPINES (PK)

Kuruma sent a reply message:

"Naval helicopters have yet to be delivered to our fleet. The range of our YS-11 aircraft would not permit us to aerially inspect some of the more remote of these islands because if the airfields have been damaged, the planes would not have the fuel to return to a functioning airbase. These means that we will have to attempt to sail past some of these areas and visually inspect them with onboard equipment. We have changed our route to try to pass by these locations.

Given that this will significantly slow our ability to help the priority locations, we will split off the JS Hamana, a supply vessel, and the Kirishima for the task. We will transfer a limited amount of humanitarian supplies to the Hamana so that it can help as necessary to the affected islands and will keep the Kirishima well supplied. The fleet will dock in Cebu, refit, resupply, and split.

We do not have shallow water transportation capabilities, either, so we will need to work with local fishermen to transport supplies to islands without adequate docking facilities.

After the split, the Kongo, Osumi, Shimokita, Towada, and Tokiwa will continue on to the main mission and dock in Devonport."

The fleet would continue onto Cebu, Philippines. They would consult all nautical maps, charts, and consult with local authorities to find the safest path and method to sail to Cebu from their current position. Once at Cebu, the Supply ships would begin to divide supplies. Some fuel and other necessary fleet maintenance and logistics supplies from the Hamana would be transferred to the Towada and the Tokiwa while some emergency relief supplies would be transferred to the Hamana. 5 ambulances and 25 military medical personnel were transferred to the deck of the Hamana. The trucks were secured securely to the deck with available chains and straps. Caution would be taken to operate at safe speeds so as not to endanger the ambulances.

Soldiers and sailors on board both fleets would continue to consume any and all needed supplies as well as perform all necessary maintenance functions for both the ships and for themselves throughout the transit of the ships. Resource and supply levels would continue to be monitored and if anything was deemed as being below operational requirements, it would be addressed there. All logistics and maintenance operations would be performed to the required specifications. The supply ships are capable of performing underway resupply and would do so if necessary.

As both fleets were sailing, they would use open channel radio frequencies to send alerts that the fleet is coming and will try to assist those in danger. This was to facilitate rescue efforts so that the fleet could be directed more than just searching in the dark.

Fleet 1 (PK>PJ>QJ>QI>QH>QG>RG>RF)
[Stops in Cebu, Port Moresby, Brisbane, Devonport for rest and resupply]
Escort
JS Kongo

Supply Ships
Towada
Tokiwa

Transports
Osumi
Shiokita

Islands Inspected
- Papua New Guinea (with air reconnaissance from Port Moresby)
- Norfolk Island (RG/RF) (with air reconnaissance: Brisbane > Norfolk > Brisbane)
- New Caledonia (RG) (with air reconnaissance: Brisbane > New Caledonia > Brisbane)
- Federated States of Micronesia (PJ) (QJ)
- Palau (PJ)
- Vanuatu (RH)
- Solomon Islands (QI)

Fleet 2 (PK>QK>RJ>RI>RH>RG>RF)
Escort
JS Kirishima

Supply Ships
JS Hmana

Islands Inspected
- Northern Mariana Islands (QK)
- Guam (QK)
- Marshall Islands (RJ)
- Nauru (RI)
- Vanuatu (RH)
- Solomon Islands (RH) (RI)

@Owen

 

[Suvorov]

PACIFIC OCEAN, East Coast of Australia [QI]
54 OOC hours from prior communication

Fleet 1 (PK[8 hrs]>PJ [15 hrs]>QJ [15 hrs]>QI [15 hrs]>QH>QG>RG>RF) [Bottom of QI Currently]
[Next stops: Port Moresby, Brisbane, Devonport for rest and resupply]
Escort
JS Kongo

Supply Ships
Towada
Tokiwa

Transports
Osumi
Shiokita

Islands Inspected
- Philippines (PK) (with air reconnaissance from Cebu)
- Federated States of Micronesia (PJ) (QJ)
- Palau (PJ)
- Solomon Islands (QI)

Remaining:
- Papua New Guinea (QH) (with air reconnaissance from Port Moresby)
- Norfolk Island (RG/RF) (with air reconnaissance: Brisbane > Norfolk > Brisbane)
- New Caledonia (RG) (with air reconnaissance: Brisbane > New Caledonia > Brisbane)

FLEET ACTIONS

The first fleet spent 8 hours, refueling, resting, while the medical team attended to the sick and wounded in and around Cebu. The efforts were coordinated with the Philippines government. The ambulances had the capability to quickly pickup and transport Filipinos who were taking ferries to the island for a chance to take part in the Japanese recovery efforts. While the medical team attended to the wounded, any sailors not on refuel and refit duty were instructed to help construct a temporary refugee center and field hospital. The medical and construction teams worked tirelessly until the Rear Admiral recalled the men and had them transported to the next location. Their primary mission at the moment was to gather information about the state of affairs to better distribute aid efforts and to enable the local population to address needs locally. Supplies were left with the Filipinos and the fleet left for Palau.

While the Fleet was carrying on its actions at Cebu, the YS-11 were inspecting the Philippine Islands from the sky. They would never go beyond 40% of their fuel capacity, returning to airbases still functioning before taking back to the skies. Two hours before the fleet left Cebu, the YS-11 left for Port Moresby and to begin inspections of Papua New Guinea. Along the way, they would inspect the path ahead of the fleet as best as possible, using their fuel to 40% before returning to Cebu and finally leaving for Papua New Guinea. The pilots would ensure the planes stayed fueled.

Once near Palau, the fleet got in touch with local fishermen. Any wounded or injured had to be brought aboard to be treated by medical personnel, transported by the fishermen to the fleet. Fishermen would bring wounded and leave with supplies. Reports were taken from the locals about the extent of the damage. During the five hour stop period, a team of five Japanese sailors would be taken by the fishermen to visually inspect the damage. Pictures were taken and the sailors returned to the fleet before the fleet departed. The fleet stayed only five hours in Palau before it left. A similar scene unfolded around the Federated States of Micronesia and the Solomon Islands.

The fleet left for Port Moresby, at this moment they are are the tip of Papua New Guinea.

Soldiers and sailors on board both fleets would continue to consume any and all needed supplies as well as perform all necessary maintenance functions for both the ships and for themselves throughout the transit of the ships. Resource and supply levels would continue to be monitored and if anything was deemed as being below operational requirements, it would be addressed there. All logistics and maintenance operations would be performed to the required specifications. The supply ships are capable of performing underway resupply and would do so if necessary.

As both fleets were sailing, they would use open channel radio frequencies to send alerts that the fleet is coming and will try to assist those in danger. This was to facilitate rescue efforts so that the fleet could be directed more than just searching in the dark.


DAMAGE REPORTS

Philippines
Islands along the eastern coast of the Philippines were hit extremely hard. Internal islands were largely shielded from the brunt of the damage, with the outer islands functioning to break up the wave. Power loss in the Luzon islands and the eastern Visayas. Death toll in the hundreds. [Priority - High, Supply by sea and air]

Federated States of Micronesia (PJ) (QJ)
Kosrae and Pohnpei islands almost 100% devastated. Chuuk and Yap islands damaged to varying degrees, with the more western islands being spared some of the brunt of the wave. [Priority - High, Supply by air and shallow water vessels]

Palau (PJ)
Palau suffered few deaths as the presence of mountains provided some higher ground against the initial wave, but the largely flat areas where the population lived, especially the city of Ngerulmud, was largely destroyed. [Priority - Medium Supply by air and shallow water vessels]

Solomon Islands (QI)
Damage was very disparate across the Solomon Islands. Populations on the larger islands were able to escape into mountainous areas, but some of the valleys in the mountains caused mudslides. Death toll estimated between 300-900. San Cristobal and Malaita island infrastructure almost entirely devastated. Inner islands suffered structural, but likely reparable damage. Mbambanakira Airport Airfield confirmed functional on Guadalcanal Island. [Priority - Medium Supply by air and shallow water vessels]

---

Fleet 2 (PK[10]>QK[20]>RJ[20]>RI[4]>RH>RG>RF) [RI]
Escort
JS Kirishima

Supply Ships
JS Hmana

Islands Inspected
- Northern Mariana Islands (QK)
- Guam (QK)
- Marshall Islands (RJ)

Remaining Islands
- Nauru (RI)
- Vanuatu (RH)

FLEET ACTIONS
Fleet 2 spent an hour resupplying in Cebu,taking priority over Fleet 1, and then left for the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. Fleet 2 followed the pattern of Fleet 1, establishing a central location deep enough for the ships to travel but as close as possible to the islands. Fishermen were contacted, visual inspections were performed, medical aid rendered, and supplies left with the locals, also in coordination with local officials. After Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, the fleet went to the Marshall Islands. However, as the United States had yet to okay any aid missions, the fleet stayed outside of US territorial waters and would hail the Americans (@John) requesting permission to perform humanitarian aid. While the requests were being sent, local boats were hailed, requesting them to take some supplies to the people. These handoffs were limited because it was impossible to distinguish between profiteers and those genuinely seeking to help. If the US would grant permission to enter their waters, the ships would perform these aid actions as close to the islands as possible. The fleet would dock in Guam's deep water port if allowed to directly deliver supplies and perform medical aid. While direct deaths and damage were limited, the people may still require some level of assistance and emergency supplies.

Following the established pattern in the Marshall Islands, the fleet would sail for Nauru.

Soldiers and sailors on board both fleets would continue to consume any and all needed supplies as well as perform all necessary maintenance functions for both the ships and for themselves throughout the transit of the ships. Resource and supply levels would continue to be monitored and if anything was deemed as being below operational requirements, it would be addressed there. All logistics and maintenance operations would be performed to the required specifications. The supply ships are capable of performing underway resupply and would do so if necessary.

As both fleets were sailing, they would use open channel radio frequencies to send alerts that the fleet is coming and will try to assist those in danger. This was to facilitate rescue efforts so that the fleet could be directed more than just searching in the dark.

DAMAGE REPORTS

Marshall Islands
The western islands were effectively leveled and destroyed. The death toll on these islands were relatively high. The interior islands were spare somewhat. No known functioning airstrips were discovered, likely meaning only shallow water and helicopters could perform large-scale rescue operations.
[Priority - High, Supply by air and shallow water vessels]

---

MESSAGE TO NEW ZEALAND

"Following our Prime Minister's words offering Japanese aid, the Kuwaitis have declared a preemptive war. Our threat level has been raised to DEFCON 3. This means that military assets are to be recalled to Japan while the threat is assessed. Given that we are only two days out from Devonport, we will continue as planned but we cannot stay to assist. This will now largely be a supply delivery mission. We will place soldiers on planes to fly out to assist in recovery efforts, however, our fleet, and ambulances cannot stay. Our commitment to the recovery effort has not changed and our personnel that will soon arrive by plane will work closely with your government. Given our DEFCON levels, we humbly ask that New Zealand continue to spearhead the recovery efforts. Please find our transmitted damage reports sent to your office via electronic messaging."
@Owen

 

[Jamie]

---

The British Task Force, Maritime Group One is a Carrier Strike Group that has been directed to the Pacific to help with the disaster relief and as the saying goes, charity begins at home. With that, the strike group had arrived in proximity to the British Pitcairn Islands. Destroyers, Frigates and other support craft retained their presence to protect the carrier which was to be the main command post for the disaster relief. Albeit been days behind due to their travel time. Operation Patwin, as it was named, was to be initiated in three phases:

• Phase I
  • Provide Humanitarian Aid to the Pitcairn Islands and help rebuild.
  • Distribute supplies across the population on the islands.
  • Conduct medical examinations on all the residents to ensure that anyone that may have been injured gets the proper treatment as a result of the Tsunami or the rebuild process.
• Phase II
  • Divide the strike force into capable responsive crafts to support other nations and their islands affected by the 'Black Tide'.
  • Deploy Medical Supplies, Food and Water to more remote and isolated islands.
• Phase III
  • Prolonged discussions and assessments about improving the UK's military response to the pacific region.

It was deemed that P1 and P2 could work in unison, with HMS Invincible becoming the relay point for communications. On-board the Invincible-class were two Lynx Helicopters which would be in the ideal position to deliver aid and personnel. Up to their arrival, briefings were taking place and the first step was to deploy 1 Platoon from A Company, 4-2 Commando, to Adams Town to help with the rebuild. Doing this in a few trips in the Lynx helicopters, this would see 30 personnel deployed. Further flights took place to deliver supplies such as medical, food and water. Immediately beginning their work. Meanwhile, the remaining 70 personnel from the Royal Marines were holding position ready to be split between other vessels. Meanwhile, a message was sent out to other countries to advise that the UK fleet was in a position to help if they would like the Royal Navy to support any disaster relief efforts they have going on themselves. @Owen @Suvorov @John @Logan

---

 

[John]

Thanks to the efforts of the National Guard engineers, power had already been restored to most of the state of Hawaii. The Helicopters at Hunter Army Airfield had taken off and had delivered the Humanitarian daily rations to the safe zones that had been set up by the Reserve medical units, who would now have went from a direct role of providing medical care to now handing out the food and water from the HDRs to those who were there. Most people had returned home now that the waters had receded, the Fire Crews and EMS crews would still be getting to work sifting through the rubble of the houses that had collapsed to see if anyone had been.

A sense of normality was beginning to come about to most of the island. Apart from those who's houses had been washed away or severely damaged. The governor decided to open up all community centres to the Public, whilst fire houses had also offered to allow people to stay for a few nights, whilst more suitable accommodation could be found for them.

 

[Logan]

The planes which had been sent by France would set down at whatever airports they could on the Islands, diverting when it was impossible for them to land. The relief workers and first responders would immediately set to work helping survivors and searching any wreckage, while the doctors and nurses would set up field hospitals in the terminals or in any government buildings that weren't too damaged to serve as such. Local first responders were tapped with distributing the aid supplies as they were offloaded from the cargo charters.

Any children who were orphaned and people who wished to return to the Metropolitan Territory were given seats on return flights.

 

[Suvorov]

NEW ZEALAND (121 OOC HOURS FROM INITIAL FLEET PLAN)

By this time all assets had successfully completed their inspections without issue or problem. Supplies had been delivered along the way and medical aid rendered as much as possible. The typical plan was to spend 10 (in game) hours attending to islands within each travel zone beyond the actual travel time the fleet spent in the area. Reports were complied and sent to parties that had contacted the fleet (@Jamie , @Owen). Given the lack of American response (@John) American Pacific territorial waters were never crossed and the plan to contact locals from outside the claim zone was enacted. With all assets now in Devonport, the remaining supplies were delivered. The local effort coordinating recovery was informed that the Japanese government had reserved another $5 Million for direct aid to islands who needed it or for the purchase.

The fleet would restock and resupply, purchasing any fuel as necessary although the replenishment ships would have more than enough to cover the return. Any other supplies would be locally purchased if necessary and the Fleet would begin its emergency return home. This time, united. The planes would follow their flight path back, stopping at the approved airports until returning to Japan. They would always remain only one airport ahead of the fleet so that the planes could fly scouting missions.

Damage reports from the remaining islands would be published soon.

The fleet would take the following route home (RF > RG >QH > QI > PJ > PK >PL > PM) stops authorized only as necessary in the ports already visited to address any logistics issues, otherwise, resupply would be carried out underway.

 

[Odinson]

A Simulation of Events


:::::::::::

Pitcairn Islands​

As the British fleet continued to advance towards the Pitcairn Islands, the small community and its tiny democratic government rationed food the best that they could. The damage to the small dock, and to the few vessels belonging to citizens on the island, meant that the normal casual fishing off shore that provided some of the islanders' native food would not be able to take place. Still, fishermen did their best to fish in the few places that weren't rigid, 400-foot cliffs. The rationing of fuel for electric production meant that there would only be power for one hour a day instead of the standard allotted time which put some stress on the island's older population. Mostly, the Pitcairn people waited in boredom as their food and fuel stocks slowly dwindled.
@Jamie

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French Polynesia
​

While the 24 aircraft sent by the French government (12 filled with medical staff, and 12 filled with food and supplies) were welcomed in French Polynesia, it wouldn't be enough for the islands which hosted a combined population of over 275,000 people. Medical staff and relief workers who landed on the islands were quickly overwhelming with tending to the injured and the daunting task of searching hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of homes on the different islands. This task would eventually prove to be so difficult that it simply couldn't be done in some places, leaving most of the trapped survivors on some islands to die alone waiting for help, while a lucky minority were rescued by their neighbors or local volunteers.

While there was destruction and death throughout French Polynesia, in varying degrees, it would become evident to the French government that the places worst affected were Tahiti (which had nearly 70% of French Polynesia's population) and the Marquesas Islands which were incredible low-lying and stood virtually no chance against the tsunami. Any staff landing at Tahiti would find an island partly in chaos as literally thousands of people who had gathered at the volcanic island on the center of the island were now stranded because their cars had either been washed away, or there were thousands of other water-logged vehicles blocking their exit. Parts of the island, as previously mentioned, were obliterated by the massive wave of the tsunami, while other parts were simply flooded. Leaders of French Polynesia pleaded with the government in Paris to send the Navy, or more aggressive aide if possible, while others took to television to beg for help from anyone.

Many of the islands were now without power, while others only had hours of it left. The supply chain in French Polynesia was entirely disrupted, and society was grinding to a halt as they awaited concrete relief from the French government, or someone else.
@Logan

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State of Hawaii
​

The American response by Hawaii's state and federal officials and armed forces was largely a success. Initial warnings from Civil Defense led to many lives being saved as the Hawaiian people rushed to safety and higher ground. Pearl Harbor itself suffered only mostly cosmetic damage while none of the Pacific Fleet was damaged at all. The presence of the National Guard and the American armed forces were welcomed by locals as communications and power were restored to parts of the islands that had lost either. The most devastating part of this were the loss of homes, and of course the minor loss of life. The opening of community centers was a great short-term solution to help those who were in need. By the end of the week
@John

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New Zealand

​

In the future, disaster planning officials would look back to the response of New Zealand as a textbook of example of how too coordinate a macro-response. New Zealand, an island nation, was hit hard by the tsunami with its largest cities in its path. The response of local officials and the armed forces was not only swift, but organized. On top of that, they were generous enough to collect data on other places in the Pacific which were ravaged by the disaster. Soldiers and rescue workers would have great success in rescuing those who were trapped, and helping evacuate those that were still in harm's way. Outside of Christchurch, the central government was granted praise for their response not only to the larger cities, but even to the smallest places that were affected by the tsunami. New Zealand's government would be able to tell, by the surveillance done with its aircraft, that the damage to French Polynesia was significant.
@Owen

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Russian Federation

​

The Russian response by train via the Siberian Railroad was a smart idea, to say the least. Whomever in the central government came up with the idea would likely deserve a box of a cigars for finding a way to provide an ample amount of aid to some of the most remote parts of Russia. The local people, who normally had no interaction with the government from Moscow on a day-to-day basis, were ecstatic to find out that millions upon millions of rubles were being set aside for them to rebuild their homes, seemingly at no cost to them. News of this raised the spirits of thousands of people who were more inclined than ever to volunteer and help their neighbors in their time of need, while their patriotism and support for the ruling government reached all-time high levels. Russian soldiers and relief workers would find themselves among thankful, humble, rugged Eastern-Russians who were thankful to see such a large and meaningful response that may have perhaps not been done in the past under previous governments. All of this would make fantastic propaganda for the Russian government who needed to do nothing more than let the truth leak out which was that the government was responding in every way it could to help its most far-flung people. For the first time in a long time, many Russians felt a sense of power and pride that their government was able to carry off such a task in such an organized and non-corruption way.
@HeadlessSeeker

​

 

[Logan]

More medical supplies and non-perishable food and water would be loaded up onto the Navy's two Foudre-class Landing Platform Docks, along with 200 Doctors, Fire Fighters, and EMS Services, and 250 General Support Personnel of the Military Order of Ste Therese each. Their path would take them from IN-HN-GN, where they would resupply at St Pierre-Miquelon, before going GN-FN-FM-FK-FJ, where they would traverse the Panama Canal, and then, finally, FJ-EJ-DJ-CJ-BJ-BH, where French Polynesia is located. Once there, one of them (FRS Occitania) would tie off at Tahiti and set up a temporary field hospital and provide aid directly to French Polynesia's largest Island. The other (FRS Britanny) would tour through the rest of the islands, providing medical and supply aid where possible.

The French Government would put out a request for any naval forces which were better established to assist in Helicopter Search and Rescue.

 

[HeadlessSeeker]

The Russian media would start reporting on what was going on with news of the events transpiring leaking. Footage of trains leaving Moscow would play as this triumph of a relief effort was made known. But at the same time, there was still much work to be done. With the Transport battalion delivering food and supplies they would make multiple runs back and forth from the towns to the trains. A constant supply of food and water was being provided. The soldiers were mainly here to keep the people safe in the meantime. They had not expected to be greeted with such thankful and open arms, and not only was this a moral boost for the people, it was a moral boost for them as well.

2nd and 5th Combat Engineer Battalion upon arrival would unload their equipment and with assistance from the Transport Battalion make their way to the 5 in need towns/cities. Both would send a single BREM-1M to each town keeping the remainder in reserve should any break down. Also in reserve for if any particular town had more debris then the other. They would be accompanied by 12 Ural-4320 carrying 20 Combat Engineers to help clear things out and build by hand.

The 2nd medical battalion would send six Ural-4320 carrying 20 medics to each of the five places. Following behind the engineers upon arrival they would set up medical tents and do checkups on the local population. No cost to their own of course as they would see who needed help. Supplmementing local medical professionals they would do their best to follow the needs of each population.

2nd Reconnaissance Battalion would split up into 5 groups of 100 and go to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy Петропавловск-Камчатский, Ossora, Tymlat, Il'pyrskoye Ильпырское, and Magazin Yelena Produktovyy in order to locate the lost and the dead. Each group taking a BRM-3K with them except for the first group which took three. Everyone else rode in the VAZ-2122 Reka.

Upon arrival the engineers would start clearing debris, the medics would start treating people, and the recon would start searchinng.

 

[Logan]

By now, the humanitarian operation would begin its winding down stage, and the Britanny and Occitania would break off of their missions, and return to France, following the same path they arrived on, traveling BH-BJ-CJ-DJ-EF-FJ, where they would traverse the Panama Canal, FJ-FK-FM-FN-GN, where they would resupply at St Pierre-Miquelon, and GN-HN-IN, where they would tie off and return to Brest, where the men would be given two days liberty before returning to dock readiness operations.

Humanitarian Supplies would continue to be flown in via charter, while plans were to be made to support reconstruction efforts and better prepare for future such events.

 

[Odinson]

This MN Event Has Concluded​