The largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission now moves to Palau after it completed its mission in Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) on April 1.
The Pacific Partnership 2018 is joined by over 800 military and civilian personnel from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Peru, Singapore, South Korea and the United Kingdom to conduct the mission this year.
The Pacific Partnership began in 2006 as a response to the December 2004 tsunami that hit parts of Southeast Asia and it continues to conduct various local outreach efforts to boost ability to respond to natural disasters, among others.
In Yap, over 134 military personnel from the U.S., United Kingdom, Japan and Australia had conducted 51 medical engagements and subject matter exchanges, six engineering projects and 22 community relations and band performances along with subject matter exchanges with local professionals on HA/DR readiness, according to the report posted on https://www.dvidshub.net.
Aside from that, 28 Seabees from Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 also done six construction projects spread throughout the island together with the community.
A medical team comprised of audiologists, veterinarians, primary care physicians, medical technicians, dentists, dental technicians and nurses also reportedly conducted a Community Health Engagement (CHE) and provided health screenings to nearly 130 patients, dental care to over 70 patients and optometry support to over 60 patients, according to the same report.
The Pacific Partnership team aboard expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Brunswick (T-EPF 6) now heads to Palau to continue its mission. (Rhealyn C. Pojas/Reporter)