Three Maritime Self-Defense Force ships departed Sunday for the Indian Ocean to logistically support the U.S.-led military operations in Afghanistan and offer aid to Afghan refugees.

The 8,100-ton supply ship Towada left Kure base in Hiroshima Prefecture at 8 a.m., shortly followed by the 5,650-ton minesweeper tender Uraga, which set sail from Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture at 8:30 a.m.

The third ship -- the 3,550-ton destroyer Sawagiri -- left Sasebo base in Nagasaki Prefecture around 2:50 p.m.

The three ships were ordered to the Indian Ocean on Tuesday under a new law that allows the Self-Defense Forces to support the military action, which is aimed at rooting out suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden and Afghanistan's ruling Taliban, which have been sheltering him.

While the pacifist Constitution restricts the vessels to noncombat roles in the military campaign, the dispatch marks the first time a Japanese military contingent will assist combat forces since the end of World War II.

"This is a very important task for our country. I hope you fulfill your jobs in an orderly manner," Defense Agency chief Gen Nakatani said in a speech on the Uraga.

"This mission is drawing a great deal of scrutiny, not only in Japan but also in foreign countries, as a means to demonstrate our determination to fight terrorism."

"We should aim to be a nation that is respected by the rest of the world and a nation that can act on behalf of people around the world through active and responsible contributions," Nakatani said.

The agency has refused to disclose many details of the mission to avoid compromising the campaign in Afghanistan.

But it said the Towada and Sawagiri will be joining the destroyers Kurama and Kirisame and the supply vessel Hamana, which left Japan on Nov. 9 to scout out shipping channels and supply lanes.

They will regroup into two flotillas to transport fuel for ships and jets from Persian Gulf states to U.S. vessels in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean to attack targets in Afghanistan.

The logistic support operation is being carried out by around 1,000 personnel and directed by Rear Adm. Hirotaka Honda, commander of the 2nd Fleet Escort Flotilla based in Sasebo. It is to last until March 31.

The Uraga is carrying tents, blankets and other relief supplies for Afghan refugees and will deliver them via Karachi port in Pakistan. It is slated to return by the middle of next month.

There are concerns within Japan that providing support to the United States while it is at war entails the use of force, which the Japanese government eschews in view of the war-renouncing Constitution.

According to the Defense Agency, the fuel-supply plan is based on guidelines formulated by Japan and will take place in a war-free zone. Fighter planes used for air strikes in Afghanistan are mobilized from the Indian Ocean.

After meeting stiff protest from opposition legislators, the government opted not to send any destroyers equipped with the Aegis, an advanced air defense system. The Aegis destroyers are the most sophisticated vessels in the MSDF fleet.

About 300 people, mostly friends and relatives of the Japanese sailors, were on hand Sunday to see off the Towada from a pier at Kure base, while another 110 saw off the Uraga in Yokosuka.

In Kure, the 26-year-old wife of a Towada crew member said goodbye to her husband with her 1-year-old daughter. She said he sent an e-mail message to her cell phone as the ship was leaving, telling her not to cry and assuring her he would be fine.

"But I'm worried because this time I don't know when he'll come back," she said.

The 73-year-old grandmother of a 19-year-old sailor said she is used to seeing off relatives as she lost her brother in World War II, but still could not hold back her tears as the youth's ship passed out of view.

In Yokosuka, a 45-year-old mother of a 19-year-old Uraga sailor said, "My son told me I don't have to worry because he is just carrying supplies."

As the warships set sail, they passed several boats carrying members of civic groups who were chanting slogans and flying banners reading, "Don't go into battle" and "Don't kill Afghans."