Sendai Airport – One Year After

Back on March 11, 2011, Sendai Airport in Iwanuma City was first damaged by the M9.0 earthquake, and then completely inundated by the massive tsunami.  The following photo is what many will remember from the television broadcasts and countless aerial photos.

In an effort to reopen the airport (which would allow it to be used as an airfield for the military, a squadron from the United States Air Force (USAF) based at Kadena AFB parachuted into nearby Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, and headed via land to the airport.  With assistance from the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF), the combined effort removed enough of the debris from the tarmac to allow a C-130 aircraft to land, bringing in much needed personnel, equipment, and supplies.

The airport remained a staging ground for military personnel; during that time, ongoing cleanup and repair of the entire facility was underway.  By mid-April, the airport was partially resuming operations for a limited number of domestic flights.

By late June, the airport resumed the operations of a limited number of international flights began with regular domestic and international service slated to start in late July. The airport was fully reopened for normal service both inside the terminal and for flights in late September.

It’s much more amazing when you consider the amount of debris that was left over (before and after images):

The following video is a short spin around the airport.  For HD quality, click on the “change quality” gear widget for a 720p version.  Sendai Airport Station is the building on the right at the 40 second mark.  This too was heavily damaged by the quake and tsunami; it reopened in November 2011.