Pacific Partnership 21, the annual U.S-led multinational humanitarian help and catastrophe aid preparedness mission performed within the Indo-Pacific, kicked off with a medical subject material professional trade at Manila Naval Hospital, July 28. The Army Sealift Command expeditionary quick transport ship USNS Metropolis of Bismarck (T-EPF 9) arrived on the mission port July 14, the place contributors disembarked earlier than conducting a 14-day quarantine as a part of ongoing COVID-19 mitigation measures.
“The humanitarian and catastrophe response, engineering and medical initiatives performed throughout Pacific Partnership are invaluable,” mentioned Rodriquez. “Working alongside our companions and host nations within the Indo-Pacific ensures we’re at all times capable of present humanitarian help when requested, regardless of the circumstance. By working collectively, we construct joint-capability and strengthen our partnerships.”
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Pacific Partnership brings nations collectively to arrange throughout calm intervals to successfully reply in instances of disaster, all through the Indo-Pacific. Greater than 200 personnel from the U.S. and host nations will take part nearly and on the bottom in the course of the mission, led by Commander, Amphibious Squadron 5, Capt. Jesus Rodriguez, launched into Metropolis of Bismarck. Planners from the U.S. and associate nations have labored collectively over the previous months to adapt Pacific Partnership amidst the challenges and calls for of a world pandemic. In June, Pacific Partnership 21 efficiently hosted its first digital occasion, a medical seminar with groups in Papua New Guinea.
All through the course of Pacific Partnership 21, consultants within the fields of engineering, medication, and catastrophe response will associate with every host nation to conduct civic-action initiatives, neighborhood well being exchanges, medical discussions and catastrophe response coaching actions. Digital engagements embody displays, reside query and reply periods, panel discussions and interactive small group breakout periods, in addition to band performances that includes musicians from taking part nations.
Engagements between Pacific Partnership contributors and host nations are meant to enhance capability, improve regional partnerships and improve multinational cooperation for catastrophe preparedness. Pacific Partnership was shaped in response to the December 2004 “Boxing Day” tsunami, one of many world’s most catastrophic pure disasters that devastated elements of South and Southeast Asia. The mission has developed over time from an emphasis on direct care to an operation targeted on enhancing partnerships by means of host nation subject material professional and civil-military exchanges.
Expeditionary quick transport ships, similar to Metropolis of Bismarck, present speedy intra-theater transport and have the potential to conduct aid operations in small or broken ports. Working on the invitation of every host nation, Pacific Partnership is joined by associate nations to strengthen catastrophe response preparedness across the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership’s mission is to work collectively with host and associate nations to reinforce regional interoperability and catastrophe response capabilities, improve stability and safety within the area, and foster new and enduring friendships throughout the Indo-Pacific. Below Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, seventh Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific area.
