May 13, 2009, Fukuoka – As part of a two-day visit to Fukuoka organized by the U.S. Consulate, Commander of 7th Fleet Amphibious Forces Rear Admiral Richard Landolt, spoke at Fukuoka University. He talked to about 40 students and professors about the role of Amphibious Forces in the U.S.-Japan Alliance and took questions from the audience.

Rear Admiral Landolt pointed out more than 80% of goods traded internationally are transported by sea and asked the students to imagine if those sea lanes were blocked. Many of the items on store shelves that we take for granted would no longer be available or would be much more expensive. He compared the difficulties with the pirates on the East Coast of Africa with the stability in the East Asia Pacific, noting that the close cooperation between the U.S. military and Self Defense Forces helps maintain peace in the region.

The Rear Admiral explained the basic structure of the U.S. Navy in the Pacific before focusing on Amphibious Forces. In addition to defending Japan and supporting allies in the region, his command frequently carries out humanitarian operations and disaster relief. As examples, his command provided both medical care and supplies in the aftermath of the Tsunami in Southeast Asia in 2004 and the mudslide in the Philippines in 2006.