By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) R. David Valdez
SAN DIEGO - The command element of Pacific Partnership 2011 concluded a two-day mission rehearsal at Naval Base Point Loma Feb. 24.
The team disembarked the amphibious transport ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7) at the beginning of the ship's latest round of certification exercises. The purpose of the rehearsal was demonstrating the ability for different parts of the Pacific Partnership team to carry out their mission objectives.
“As the mission commander for Pacific Partnership, I have responsibility for all of our different activities here,” said Capt. Jesse Wilson, commander of Destroyer Squadron 23.
Wilson and his team rehearsed the upcoming visit to Vanuatu, role-playing visits to medical, dental, veterinary and engineering sites and discussing their plans with local media.
“These events are very important to ensuring that we and our partner nations engage our hosts with dignity and respect,” Wilson said. “We’ve been invited to come to these countries, and it’s vital to continue building the positive relationships we have by working together efficiently and effectively.”
This is the sixth year the Pacific Partnership mission is getting underway. This year, the U.S. will be working in conjunction with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, and Japan, and the military teams will work with a variety of non-governmental organizations to provide cultural and professional exchanges with the people of Tonga, Timor-Leste, Papua-New Guinea, Vanuatu, and the Federated States of Micronesia.
US Pacific Fleet
