U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Discusses the American Military Relief Efforts after Japan’s March 11 Earthquake

Operation Tomodachi: Support, Compassion, Commitment

 

Tuesday, November 15, 2011, Noon, at Japan Society

トモダチ作戦～米軍による被災地救援・支援の取り組み～
 

New York, NY – Immediately after the March 11 earthquake in Japan, the U.S. armed forces launched a historic humanitarian and disaster relief effort named Operation Tomodachi. During this operation, over 20,000 U.S. military personnel worked side-by-side with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to help provide support to the people affected by the disaster.

 

In Operation Tomodachi: Support, Compassion, Commitment,Navy Admiral Patrick M. Walsh, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, appears at Japan discusses his experiences over the course of this effort. Moderated by Wilbur Ross, Chairman & CEO, WL Ross & Co., LLC, and Japan Society Chairman, the discussion takes place Tuesday November 15 at Noon.

 

Agenda: Noon, registration and reception; 12:30, luncheon; 1-2 lecture and Q&A

 

Admission: $65 lunch and lecture/$15 lecture only. Japan Society Corporate Members are entitled to a designated number of FREE admissions based on their company's membership level. Discounted rates are available for additional Japan Society Corporate Members, certain individual members, government officials and academics. To register or for more information, please email register@japansociety.org, visit www.japansociety.org/corporateevents, or call 212-715-1208.

 

Admiral Patrick M. Walsh graduated with honors from Jesuit College Preparatory in Dallas, Texas, and received both the Distinguished Graduate and Distinguished Alumnus awards. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Walsh began operational flying with the "Golden Dragons" of Attack Squadron 192. He then reported to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 5 as an Operational Test director until selection to the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, “Blue Angels.” When he returned to the fleet, Walsh joined the "Golden Warriors" of Strike-Fighter Squadron 87 as the Operations Officer. Walsh commanded the “Gunslingers” of Strike-Fighter Squadron 105. He commanded Carrier Air Wing 1 aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67), and Carrier Group 7/USS John C. Stennis Strike Group. He also commanded U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, while commanding the Combined Maritime Forces conducting Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and maritime security operations. In June 2011, Admiral Walsh cited Operation Tomodachi as an example of America’s forces having “forward presence”, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. is Chairman and CEO, WL Ross & Co. and Chairman, Invesco Private Capital. Ross has assisted in restructuring more than $200 billion of corporate liabilities. Well known as a skilled negotiator and as an expert in the bankruptcy process, Mr. Ross has worked on a variety of complex bankruptcy proceedings in a broad range of industries. In 1999, President Kim Dae Jung awarded Mr. Ross a medal for his help during Korea's 1998 financial crisis.  He is a former Chairman of the Smithsonian National Board.  Earlier, President Clinton had appointed him to the Board of the U.S.-Russia Investment Fund, and he served as privatization advisor to Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.  Ross serves on the Executive Committee of the New York City Partnership and is a member of the Chairman’s Circle of the U.S.-India Business Council.  He is a member of the Business Roundtable and a Board member of the Yale University School of Management, which has presented him with its Legend of Leadership Award.  He is also a member of the Committee on Capital Markets Regulation. In 2010, Ross was appointed Chairman of Japan Society’s Board of Directors.

 

Founded in 1907, Japan Society is a world-class, multidisciplinary hub for global leaders, artists, scholars, educators, and English and Japanese-speaking audiences. At the Society, more than 100 events each year feature sophisticated, topically relevant presentations of Japanese art and culture and open, critical dialogue on issues of vital importance to the U.S., Japan and East Asia. An American nonprofit, nonpolitical organization, the Society cultivates a constructive, resonant and dynamic relationship between the people of the U.S. and Japan.

Japan Society is located at 333 East 47th Street between First and Second avenues (accessible by the 4/5/6 at 42nd Street-Grand Central Station or the E and V at Lexington Avenue and 53rd St.) For further information call 212-832-1155 or visit www.japansociety.org.

 

With support from Citigroup Inc.; Deloitte; Mizuho Securities USA; United Airlines; Toyota Motor North America; and WL Ross & Co., LLC.

 

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Media Contacts:

Shannon Jowett, 212-715-1205, sjowett@japansociety.org

Kuniko Shiobara, 212-715-1249, kshiobara@japansociety.org