NATCA Offers Support to Japanese ITF Unions
Wednesday, March 16, 2011



A message from Paul and Trish:

Within minutes after the tsunami hit Japan we received calls from FAA senior leaders that there was a tsunami warning for Guam and then Hawaii. Alerts were also issued for the west coast from California to Alaska. After making phone, calls we found out that the FAA and NATCA were already working in Guam and Hawaii to prepare for the threat. Fortunately, our members, their homes and facilities were unscathed. An incredible effort by all involved. The team in Hawaii worked to set up a back-up facility on higher ground in the event that HCF was flooded. That meant leaving their families in the middle of the night to do what they could to ensure the integrity of the system. This from FacRep Thom Gurule to HCF personnel,

“Thank you all for the way we handled the tsunami threat last night. I appreciate all the efforts from everyone involved. Communication and coordination with each of you was great. I appreciate the fact of ensuring our HCF personnel's safety while maintaining the integrity of the system. I believe some lessons were learned from this as well and can be put to use to help mitigate any similar events in the future. Again, MAHALO!”

More than six days after the earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan we are getting very little information on the needs of controllers and aviation professionals in the area worst hit. We have heard that they are not aware of any loss of life to the workforce there. We have sent messages through IFATCA and ITF letting them know we are ready to help where we can. ITF has established a page on the ITF Web site which will provide updates on the steps taken by ITF Japanese unions in response to the tragedy and will provide an opportunity for other ITF unions to leave messages. 

Below is the correspondence we sent on behalf of NATCA.

Letter to the Japanese ITF Unions