[George16]

The bad thing about this situation is for TEPCO and the Japanese government wasn't very open and forthcoming with what's really going on. They tried downplaying the whole situation from the beginning. We went from a posture of not getting underway to get underway within 96 hours after the experts and technicians brought in by the US government found out that there was a higher level of contamination than what the Japan is putting out to the public. Trust me, it's very daunting to get an aircraft carrier transition from repairs to be able to safely get underway on its own power within 96 hours. Work was 24 hours around the clock. We were not allowed to go home and take care of our families until late in the evening.

I tell you what though, it's all about politics. The 4 star admiral of the Pacific command wants us back in Yokosuka but other powers to be had other plans for us which they are not sharing at all. I think they jsut want to give the perception that we left the Japanese to tend for themselves because right now, there is no naval asset in port in Yokosuka. Besides, sailing aimlessly or making circles/donuts in a square box in the pacific ocean is not a morale booster at all. I was just glad my family was able to leave 3 days ago and not worry about the radioactive fallout. We have members of the Navy Nuclear team onboard our ship to help us ensure we have cleaned and decontaminated the ship.