MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Sabrina Vandewalker, age 15 months, waits patiently on her mother Stephanie’s back, wife of Capt. Jon Vandewalker of the 35th Dental Squadron, to board an aircraft with 240 military family members being flown to the continental United States March 22. The Defense Department authorized a voluntary departure of family members from Northern Japan due to the recent earthquake and tsunami disaster. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)

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MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Penelope, family dog of Maj. Thomas Esser, 35th Force Support Squadron commander, escorts his human family back to the continental United States March 22 during a voluntary departure. The Defense Department authorized a voluntary departure of family members from Northern Japan due to the recent earthquake and tsunami disaster. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)

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First voluntary departure flights leave Misawa

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- During the boarding of the voluntary family departure Maj. Andrew Pate, 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander, helps out mother Ruth Finstuen by holding her son David, age 3, while she locates her 1-year-old daughter Kristiana's car seat March 22. The Defense Department authorized a voluntary departure of family members from Northern Japan due to the recent earth quake and tsunami disaster. (U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)

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MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- On March 22, Kasey Haedge walks toward an aircraft with her 14-month-old son Michael. They they are part of the 240 military family members that volunteered to return to the continental United States due to the recent earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan. The Defense Department authorized a voluntary departure of family members from Northern Japan due to the recent earth quake and tsunami disaster. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. April Quintanilla)

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From Misawa to Safe Haven with one airplane ride

Published March 22, 2011

First voluntary departure flights leave Misawa