Robert Girrier, retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, commanded the U.S. military effort in Operation Tomodachi (Provided by Robert Girrier) Operation Tomodachi, the relief effort mounted by U.S. forces to assist Japan in the aftermath of the 3/11 disaster, stands as enduring testimony to close cooperation and what can be achieved without rehearsal in a time of dire need, says Robert Girrier, who commanded the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group during the mission. A retired rear admiral, Girrier was asked how the U.S. military dealt with the radioactive fallout from the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, what memories he had about the support and rescue activities he oversaw and his views of the current state of the Japan-U.S. alliance.