海自輸送艦トンガへ　支援物資運ぶ、ヘリや揚陸艇も

　海底火山の噴火と津波で甚大な被害を受けた南太平洋の島国トンガに向け、海上自衛隊の輸送艦「おおすみ」が２４日、海自呉基地（広島県呉市）を出港した。支援物資を配る輸送ヘリや揚陸艇も搭載し、約２週間で到着する見込み。
　支援物資は火山灰を除去するための高圧洗浄機６０台やリヤカー、大量の飲料水など。陸上自衛隊の大型輸送ヘリＣＨ４７ＪＡも２機積載した。トンガは大小１００以上の島々から成り、港湾施設が被災した離島も多いとされる。船が接岸できない場合は、輸送ヘリやホーバークラフト揚陸艇「ＬＣＡＣ」を使って、物資を届ける想定という。
　呉地方総監の園田直紀海将は「トンガで待つ方々へ、物資と共に日本国民の思いと心をしっかり届けてもらいたい」と激励。おおすみは隊員ら約４０人に見送られ、午後２時すぎに出発した。
　自衛隊は既に、航空自衛隊の輸送機４機を派遣。飲料水や火山灰除去に使う道具を空輸している。（2022/01/24-16:52）

A Maritime Self-Defense Force transport vessel left Japan for Tonga on Monday to deliver relief supplies to the southern Pacific island nation, which was hit hard by a recent undersea volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami.
   The Osumi, which left the MSDF Kure base in Hiroshima Prefecture, western Japan, carrying two CH-47JA large transport helicopters of the Ground SDF and two Landing Craft Air Cushion hovercrafts, is expected to arrive in Tonga in around two weeks.
   Relief supplies to be delivered by the Osumi will include 60 high-pressure washers to remove volcanic ash, handcarts and a large amount of drinking water.
   Tonga, consisting of over 100 small and big islands, is believed to have a number of port facilities damaged by the latest disaster. If the Osumi cannot dock at a wharf, relief supplies are expected to be delivered via transport chopper or hovercraft.
   "We want (the Osumi) to deliver to people waiting in Tonga Japanese people's thoughts and sincerity along with relief supplies," Vice Adm. Naoki Sonoda, commandant of the Kure district, said.