Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri, commanding general, Marine

Maj. Gen. Peter J. Talleri, commanding general, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, speaks with Col. Joel R. Powers, Marine Corps Bases Japan assistant chief of staff, G-3 operations, in the Base Emergency Operations Center here in the aftermath of an 8.9 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami which hit mainland Japan earlier today. Talleri, along with special staff members, is monitoring the situation as it develops and coordinating Marine Corps actions here. At this time III Marine Expeditionary Force Marines and sailors have not been directed to provide assistance in response to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The U.S. State Department is the lead agency for the U.S. government that is coordinating any requests for assistance by the government of Japan.