Category: Defense Intelligence

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

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Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

The hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) arrived Dec. 21 in the Republic of Palau to begin the fourth mission stop of Pacific Partnership 24-1, the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific region. This marks the sixth time Pacific Partnership has come to Palau, the previous visit was in 2022.

At the invitation of host nations, Pacific Partnership’s mission partners will conduct tailored humanitarian civil action preparedness activities in areas such as engineering, disaster response, public health, and host nation outreach events.

This year’s mission will feature military personnel from Australia, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, and New Zealand. The Pacific Partnership 24-1 mission has completed stops in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands and Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia. Its final mission stop will be in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia.

“The United States is committed to the people of Palau as we share deep ties and a long-standing friendship that spans decades”, said U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Palau, Joel Ehrendreich. “Pacific Partnership allows us to work shoulder-to-shoulder as friends and partner nations to collectively grow our ability to quickly respond to disasters or medical emergencies, if and when that comes to the Indo-Pacific region.”

USNS Mercy will anchor off the state of Koror with a team of more than 750 civilian crew members and uniformed military members. The ship has 12 fully equipped operating rooms, 1,000 hospital beds, radiological services, a dental clinic, a medical laboratory, a pharmacy, optometry facilities, a CT scanner, and an oxygen-producing plant.

During the Palau mission stop, the Pacific Partnership team will conduct community health engagements in Koror, Peleliu, and Babeldaob, which include optometry (vision screenings, glasses and sunglasses dispensing), dentistry (examinations, extractions, and fluoride treatments), and chronic disease screening. These services are free and open to the public on a first come, first serve basis. The U.S. Embassy Koror Facebook page will provide updated information on the location and times of these community engagements.

Surgeons will also perform operations onboard USNS Mercy. Patients will be pre-screened through a process coordinated through the Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services and with local doctors. Pacific Partnership medical providers will also conduct medical subspecialty care and training engagements at Belau National Hospital, working side-by-side with their Palauan medical colleagues, as well as training in trauma, obstetric, and neonatal emergencies.

Additionally, the U.S. Pacific Partnership band, comprised of musicians from the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band, the Royal Australian Navy and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force will perform free concerts at Ernguul Park on Dec. 23rd, Surangel’s Shopping Center in Airai on Christmas Eve, and at the Old Age Home in Koror on December 28th. There will also be host nation outreach events for Sailors to play sports with students who are on Christmas break from school. Experts in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief will conduct workshops for safe boating and disaster risk management.

“When speaking about the Palau mission stop, U.S. Joint Region Marianas (JRM) Senior Military Official for the Republic of Palau, Rear Admiral Greg Huffman said, “I would like to express my sincere appreciation to President Whipps, his staff and the entire Palau community for the support they have provided this mission. The trust built through collaborative exercises like Pacific Partnership strengthen our shared capacity and deepen our special strategic partnership.” Rear Admiral Huffman will attend the opening ceremony of Pacific Partnership 24-1 in Palau onboard USNS Mercy. “This mission fosters multilateral cooperation and emphasizes a multinational and whole-of-government approach between our countries that continues to promote stability, unity and prosperity in Palau and throughout the region.”

Born out of the devastation brought by the December 2004 tsunami that swept through parts of South and Southeast Asia, Pacific Partnership began as a military-led humanitarian response to one of the world’s most catastrophic natural disasters. Building on the success and goodwill of this operation, the U.S. helped spearhead the inaugural Pacific Partnership mission in 2006.

Pacific Partnership, now in its 19th iteration, is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Each year the mission team works collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

For more information about Pacific Partnership, go to www.facebook.com/pacificpartnership, www.instagram.com/pacific_partnership/ or https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/PacificPartnership. For questions about Pacific Partnership engagements and band concerts, please contact U.S. Embassy Koror public affairs officer Jason Frohnmayer at FrohnmayerJO@state.gov.

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Pacific Partnership 24-1 (PP24-1) concludes 10 days of medical, humanitarian and disaster response and host nation outreach efforts in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, closing out its third mission stop Dec. 21.

This mission stop hosted a fly-in only team of 76 Pacific Partnership 24-1 (PP 24-1) personnel. Due to the size of USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), the ship was unable to anchor off the coast of Pohnpei. This was Pacific Partnership’s third time to visit Pohnpei.

“Pacific Partnership’s Mission Team has done an amazing job in their short time in the state of Pohnpei,” said U.S. Embassy Kolonia Ambassador Jennifer Johnson. “Their presence has been felt across communities here through cultural events, no-cost dental and optical care, training of health care personnel, community service, and disaster management preparation, adding to our already deep and enduring partnership and ties with the FSM.”

Pacific Partnership fosters enduring friendship and cooperation among many nations. During the mission stop, personnel from the U.S. Navy and Army collaborated with Pohnpei professionals and U.S. military veterans in Pohnpei to enhance capabilities across medical, humanitarian assistance disaster relief and host nation outreach lines of effort.

“I would like to thank the government and people of Pohnpei for welcoming the Pacific Partnership team into their country,” said Capt. Jeffrey Feinberg, commanding officer of USNS Mercy. “I am inspired by the collaboration between our team and the community of Pohnpei that demonstrates bonds of friendship and enduring trust between our nations.”

Pacific Partnership is an enduring mission that focuses on multinational cooperation and host nation capacity building in order to ensure a more secure Indo-Pacific.

Throughout their 10-day stay in Pohnpei, PP24-1 forces conducted more than 51 medical engagements, including 737 dental procedures. The optometry team distributed more than 685 prescription glasses and 777 pairs of sunglasses. Additionally, the Pacific Partnership medical team conducted 29 side-by-side surgeries at Pohnpei State Hospital.

The mission’s humanitarian assistance and disaster response leads conducted 2 workshops, which included Pohnpei first responders. U.S. Army personnel, along with U.S. Coast Guard members from United States Coast Guard Sector Guam, hosted one search and rescue exercise in order to increase host nation capability during disaster relief.

Part of the host nation outreach line of effort, U.S. Pacific Fleet Band members performed seven concerts for local schools and the local community around Pohnpei. These concerts contributed to enhancing strong bonds of friendships with U.S. members and the local community.

“Playing music around Pohnpei during Pacific Partnership has been a truly remarkable experience,” said Petty Officer First Class Paul Tomson. “Pohnpei inspired us with hospitality, and we hope that we’ve inspired Pohnpei through music. We look forward to continuing our partnership by making music together in the future.”

As part of Pacific Partnership 24-1, U.S. Navy divers from Task Group 73.6 removed and disposed of MV Micro Glory, a derelict cargo vessel, from Dekehtik Harbor. This operation was at the request of the Micronesian Government in coordination with Transportation, Communications, and Infrastructure Department, Environmental Protection Agency, and Pohnpei Port Authority. The disposal reduced the risk of future environment and economic impacts in Pohnpei.

Now in its 19th iteration, Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

For more information about Pacific Partnership and USNS Mercy, visit www.facebook.com/pacificpartnership, www.facebook.com/USNSMERCY, or https://www.msc.usff.navy.mil/ships/mercy

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

A U.S. Navy Sailor assigned to Pacific Partnership 2024-1 (PP24-1) spoke to students about Navy medical career opportunities at the middle school he once attended in Santa Rita, Guam, Dec. 15.

At the invite of teachers from his alma mater, Lt. j. g. Nikko Cabrera, a nurse aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), spoke at Commander William C. McCool Middle School to increase student awareness about the Navy Nurse Corps.

“Today I supported my former middle school teachers by speaking to their advanced via individual determination students” said Cabrera. “We had a great talk about our different pathways into nursing and becoming a Navy nurse.”

Cabrera presented a slideshow showcasing information about the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program and nurse candidate program.

“We spoke about ROTC and the nurse candidate program so we can touch base with kids interested in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard” Cabrera said. “It allowed to me to see where their heads were at and what kind of plans they have in life.”

Cabrera said returning to his old stomping grounds gave him a sense of nostalgia and that speaking with the students excited him for their futures.

“Middle school has very core memories in my heart, being a volley ball captain, student council, and being an AVID student as well’ said Cabrera. “Being able to see the next generation pick-up where I left off was great”

Pacific Partnership, now in its 19th iteration, is the largest multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific and works to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships.

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Pacific Partnership 24-1 Concludes Final Mission Stop in Chuuk
By: Ens. Lacy Burkett
Jan 21, 2024

Pacific Partnership 24-1 (PP24-1) concludes 12 days of medical, engineering, host nation outreach efforts, and humanitarian and disaster response in the Federated States of Micronesia, closing out its final mission stop Jan 21.

This was Pacific Partnership’s second mission stop in the Federated States of Micronesia during their four-month humanitarian mission.

“So let this special friendship be as fast, as deep and an enduring one, that will span decades, islands and nations,” said Alexander Narruhn, governor of Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, while speaking to attendees at the closing ceremony of Pacific Partnership’s Chuuk mission stop. “Let it be practiced on good faith so we can strengthen regional security, unity, stability, collaboration and goodwill.”

Pacific Partnership is a unifying mission that fosters cooperation between nations. The Chuuk mission stop hosted personnel from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Navy and German Navy to enhance capabilities across medical, humanitarian assistance disaster relief and host nation outreach lines of effort.

“Pacific Partnership is symbolic of the unity and spirit of cooperation that embodies the U.S.-FSM relationship, and our shared goal of an open, connected, prosperous, resilient, and secure Indo-Pacific,” said U.S. Embassy Kolonia Ambassador Jennifer Johnson.

Throughout their 12-day stop in Chuuk, PP24-1 teams conducted more than 150 medical engagements, including 2226 dental procedures. The optometry team distributed more than 1605 prescription glasses and 1442 pairs of sunglasses. Additionally, the Pacific Partnership medical team conducted 82 surgeries aboard Mercy.

“We rarely get this kind of service to the island and when we have, it’s usually on a limited basis, like they would have to be here for a few days,” said Inouefich Shomour, CEO of Chuuk Community Health Center. “This is different because we have these clinics, as well as up at the hospital. We have the community health centers where it is more exposed and accessible to people on the islands.”

In addition to medical care, U.S. Navy environmental health officers hosted three public health engagements to better inform the local populace of measures they can take for food storage and pest abatement to improve overall health and prevent common illnesses. During the Pest Abatement Course, 41 participants learned how to make reusable rat traps using common items easily found on the Island.

“Rodents, such as rats, are a major carrier of diseases such as leptospirosis. Many countries that we have visited are concerned about leptospirosis in their communities,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Westen Archibald, Pacific Partnership 24-1 entomologist. “By teaching local community members how to make at-home reusable rat traps from recycled materials, we help empower the communities to reduce rodent populations around their neighborhoods. This can reduce the likelihood of leptospirosis infections for humans and improve population and environmental health.”

Seabees from Amphibious Construction Battalion One (ACB 1) enhanced host nation capabilities by working alongside Chuuk State Hospital for repairs to water supply system piping. In addition, ACB 1 conducted beautification of Anderson Field, a local sports field in Chuuk. At the sports field, ACB 1 made repairs to the basketball hoop and constructed soccer goals for recreational use by local children.

As part of the host nation outreach line of effort, the U.S. Pacific Partnership band, comprised of musicians from the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Navy performed seven concerts for communities in Chuuk, including a public performance at Anderson Field. Pacific Partnership Sailors connected with the young people of Chuuk during sports days at local schools, creating bonds of friendships through the mutual love of sports.

“We know with Pacific Partnership, it’s focused on developing capacity, but that capacity building in that partnership, it’s a human work,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Joseph Frana, Pacific Partnership 24-1 chaplain. “And so it’s all about a human connection. While we’re learning together and developing technical skills, really at the heart of it is we’re developing friendships.”

Members of the humanitarian relief and disaster response team also held seven engagements with members of the Chuuk State Department and local first responders. These engagements focused on quick response during disaster situations such as first aid, emergency messaging and communications and search and rescue operations.

Now in its 19th iteration, Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

For more information about Pacific Partnership and USNS Mercy, visit www.facebook.com/pacificpartnership, www.facebook.com/USNSMERCY, or https://www.msc.usff.navy.mil/ships/mercy

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)