USA: USS Lake Erie completes relief mission in Sri Lanka

From Destroyer Squadron 7 Public Affairs

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Jason McEntire works with Sri Lankan Marines to repair levees during humanitarian assistance operations, June 12. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Joshua Fulton) >>

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -U.S. Sailors from the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) completed their contributions to the humanitarian assistance mission in Sri Lanka, June 17.

More than 400 Sailors participated in the mission in Sri Lanka, where recent heavy rainfalls brought by a southwest monsoon triggered flooding and landslides throughout the country, displacing thousands of people and causing significant damage to homes and buildings.

"Our mission here was straight-forward, to provide support and relief efforts to our friends in Sri Lanka who were impacted by this disaster," said Capt. Alexis T. Walker, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 7. "Working alongside Sailors and Marines from the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, our team conducted irrigation repairs, well rehabilitation and levee repairs throughout the region. I'm proud of our efforts this week and the assistance we were able to provide."

USA: Pacific Partnership 2017 mission draws to a close

By Lt.j.g Emily Wilkin, Pacific Partnership Public Affairs

USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4) arrives in Da Nang, Vietnam, May 8 for Pacific Partnership. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Joshua Fulton) >>

SINGAPORE - Pacific Partnership 2017, embarked aboard USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4) arrived in Singapore May 31, marking the conclusion of this year’s mission.

Fall River departed Singapore on March 4 and served as the command platform for the Pacific Partnership 2017 mission. Pacific Partnership is the largest annual, multilateral disaster response preparedness mission in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

“Pacific Partnership 2017 gave us the chance to build lasting partnerships and friendships with all of the countries we visited. These partnerships will allow us to be better prepared to work together in the future.” said Captain Stanfield Chien, Pacific Partnership 2017 mission commander.

Pacific Partnership 2017 conducted mission stops in three countries – Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Vietnam and was the first Pacific Partnership completed solely utilizing a T-EPF vessel, vice the USNS Mercy.

USA: Pacific Partnership concludes in Nha Trang, Vietnam

By Lt.j.g. Emily Wilkin, Pacific Partnership Public Affairs

Lt. Cmdr. Justin Dye of Navy Medical Center San Diego examines neurological injury patients with local doctors at Khahn Hoa General Hospital, May 22. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Joshua Fulton) >>

KHANH HOA, Vietnam - Pacific Partnership 2017 departed from Nha Trang, Vietnam on May 29 after completing 10 days of disaster response training, medical and engineering subject matter expert exchanges, cooperative health engagements, and community service events.

This year marks the fourth consecutive year and the eighth time the mission has visited Vietnam in the past 11 years. In addition to the team aboard expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4), the Nha Trang mission also featured sailors from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s destroyers JS Izumo and JS Sazanami.

USA: Pacific Partnership 2017 makes 2nd Vietnam mission stop

By Lt.j.g. Emily Wilkin, Pacific Partnership Public Affairs

JS Izumo (DDH 183) approaches the pier behind USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4) while arriving to support the Pacific Partnership 2017 mission. (U.S. Embassy Hanoi) >>

KHANH HOA, Vietnam - Pacific Partnership 2017 kicked off in Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam, on May 19, for the final stop of Pacific Partnership 2017, with the arrival of the U.S. expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4).

This is the eighth time in eleven years that this event has taken place in Vietnam. This year's events in Khanh Hoa include personnel from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan. Sailors and crew from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s destroyers JS Izumo and JS Sazanami will also join mission personnel for the Khanh Hoa mission stop.

The Government of Vietnam approved Khanh Hoa province as a destination for Pacific Partnership, and the province collaborated with central government agencies and Pacific Partnership planners to organize the week and a half event, with the aim of enhancing humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HA/DR) and to promote the comprehensive partnership between the United States and Vietnam as well as collaboration among partner countries.

USA: Pacific Partnership 2017 departs Da Nang, re-affirms warm ties with the city

From Pacific Partnership 2017 Public Affairs

Lt. Cmdr. Justin Dye (center) performs spinal surgery at Da Nang Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Medical Center, May 16. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Joshua Fulton) >>

DA NANG, Vietnam - Pacific Partnership 2017 departed Da Nang, Vietnam, May 18, after completing 10 days of disaster response training, medical and engineering subject matter expert exchanges, cooperative health engagements, and community relations events.

This year marks the fourth consecutive year and the eighth time the mission has visited Vietnam in the past 11 years.

"Our time in Da Nang was another fantastic opportunity to continue our cooperation with the people of Vietnam, working together to improve our capability to respond to disaster relief and sharing medical and engineering best practices," said Capt. Stanfield Chien, Pacific Partnership mission commander.

Pacific Partnership and Vietnamese personnel conducted subject matter expert exchanges for a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) workshop that culminated in a field training exercise.

USA: Pacific Partnership 2017 arrives in Da Nang, Vietnam

From Task Force 73 Public Affairs

USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4) arrives in Da Nang, May 8, for Pacific Partnership. (U.S. Navy/MC3 Madailein Abbott) >>

DA NANG, Vietnam - Pacific Partnership 2017 (PP17) began a mission in Da Nang, May 8, with the arrival of the expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4).

The Da Nang mission stop marks the fourth consecutive year and the eighth time in 11 years that Pacific Partnership missions have occurred in Vietnam's provinces and cities.

Personnel from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Japan are participating in this year's events in Da Nang.

Da Nang collaborated with central government agencies and Pacific Partnership planners to organize the week and a half event with the aim of promoting the comprehensive partnership between the United States and Vietnam and collaboration among partner countries.

News Report: US Pacific Partnership 2017 Disaster Response Training Underway in Vietnam

Military personnel from the United States, Vietnam, Japan, Australia and the United Kingdom is conducting disaster response and humanitarian training drills in the Da Nang Province in Vietnam as part of the Pacific Partnership 2017 exercise, the US Navy announced in a press release on Monday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The Da Nang province is known in military history as being the place where the US Marine Corps 9th Expeditionary Forces landed in March 1965. They Marine Corps were the first US combat troops to arrive in Vietnam during the US military agression against that country.

"Pacific Partnership includes the traditional humanitarian aid and disaster relief, medical, engineering and community relation projects," US officer in charge of the mission Lt. Cmdr. Greg Dusetzina said.

The training was officially kicked off when the Navy’s fast transport ship Fall River arrived, the statement noted. This year marks the fourth consecutive year in which Vietnam has participated in the Pacific Partnership exercise.

"Natural disasters don't recognize borders, so Vietnam, the United States and other Pacific nations must be prepared to respond quickly," US Ambassador to Vietnam Tedd Osius said.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

USA: Pacific Partnership mission in Malaysia transitions to Kuching

By MC2 Chelsea Troy Milburn

Cadets from the University of Malaysia Sarawak walk the ramp of USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4) during a tour in Kuching, April 16. (U.S. Navy/Grady T. Fontana) >>

KUCHING, Malaysia - Pacific Partnership 2017 and Malaysian partners embarked aboard expeditionary fast transport USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4) arrived in Kuching, Malaysia, April 14.

As the second and main mission stop in Malaysia, and the third mission stop overall, activities in Kuching will kick off the large focus on humanitarian aid and disaster response, as well civil engineering projects for Pacific Partnership 2017 Malaysia.

According to Lt. j.g. Robin Pepper, the mission's engineering sail-in echelon officer in charge, Kuching is going to be an exciting change of pace for the sail-in team after working only one-on-one with the host nation engineers at their last projects in Sri Lanka.

USA: Pacific Partnership 2017 begins mission in Malaysia

By MC2 Chelsea Milburn, Pacific Partnership Public Affairs

Vice Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin, left, commander of U.S. 7th Fleet; Lt. Gen. Dato' Fazil Bin Mukhtar, commander of Malaysia's Joint Forces Command; and Capt. Stansfield Chien, Pacific Partnership mission commander, pause for a photo in front of USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4), April, 10. (Royal Malaysian Navy photo) >>

PORT KLANG, Malaysia - Pacific Partnership 2017, embarked aboard Military Sealift Command expeditionary fast transport USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4), arrived in Port Klang, Malaysia, April 8.

The arrival marks Malaysia's 12th year as a participant in Pacific Partnership, as well as its second year as a host nation, after making its debut as a Pacific Partnership mission stop in 2016.

As the second mission stop of Pacific Partnership 2017, activities in Malaysia will include humanitarian aid and disaster response preparedness exercises, medical exchanges, civil engineering projects and community engagement events.

According to U.S. Army Maj. John Burns, Pacific Partnership 2017's officer in charge for Malaysia, this year's visit to Malaysia will not only provide an opportunity to build on the success of last year's mission, but will also provide unique challenges in comparison to other mission stops.

USA: USNS Fall River makes goodwill visit to Myanmar

From Task Force 73 Public Affairs

In this file photo, USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4) arrives in Sri Lanka earlier this month during Pacific Partnership 2017. (U.S. Navy/ MC2 Joshua Fulton) >>

YANGON, Myanmar - Military Sealift Command expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4) is making a goodwill visit to Yangon, Myanmar, March 21-25.

The visit aims to enhance friendship and cultural exchange between U.S. service members and the people of Myanmar.

The ship is transiting between mission stops in Sri Lanka and Malaysia for the annual Pacific Partnership mission, a multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HA/DR) preparedness operation which promotes greater cooperation between nations across the Indo-Asia-Pacific.

While in Myanmar, the crew of Fall River will conduct engagements with the Myanmar navy and participate in cultural tours in the city of Yangon. The U.S. 7th Fleet band will also perform at the U.S. Embassy American Center, and band members will meet with local musicians during coordinated musical exchanges.

News Report: US Warship Arrives in Myanmar for First Visit Since Second World War

USNS Fall River (Image: Wiki Commons)

On Tuesday the US Navy Ship Fall River made a port call in the southeast Asian country’s largest city and former capital, Yangon.

The expeditionary fast transport ship arrived from Sri Lanka and the sailors, civilian crewmembers and soldiers on board will be in Myanmar for close to a week before departing for Malaysia for the Pacific Partnership, an annual disaster relief and humanitarian planning exercise. 

As the nation formerly known as Burma works to shake off decades of military-led government, its relationship with Washington has strengthened. Former President Barack Obama lifted sanctions against Myanmar in October 2016, not long after the country held free elections, though some still say the government in the largely Buddhist country is guilty of human rights violations against minority groups like the Muslim Rohingya.

USA: Pacific Partnership 2017 Shifts Focus to Humanitarian Aid/Disaster Relief

By Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Micah Blechner, Pacific Partnership

HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka, March 15, 2017 — Members of the U.S. armed forces and the Sri Lankan air force and navy exchanged best practices and lessons learned during a first-ever, bilateral Humanitarian Aid/Disaster Relief Symposium held at the Magam Ruhunupura International Convention Center here March 13.

This symposium, part of Pacific Partnership 2017, was led by the Sri Lankan navy and focused most of its efforts discussing disaster management and relief response in scenario driven events such as tsunamis and flooding caused primarily by natural disasters.

Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Relief Preparedness

Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, and aims to enhance regional coordination in areas such as medical readiness and preparedness for man-made and natural disasters.

Participating in this year's Sri Lanka mission are partner military and nongovernmental personnel from the United States, Australia, and Japan.

USA: Pacific Partnership 2017 makes inaugural Sri Lanka mission stop

By Lt. j.g. Emily Wilkin, Pacific Partnership Public Affairs

USNS Fall River (T-EPF-4) arrives in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, to participate in a Pacific Partnership 2017 mission stop. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Joshua Fulton) >>

HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka - Pacific Partnership 2017 made its initial mission stop in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, March 7, with the arrival of Military Sealift Command expeditionary fast transport USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4).

This marked the first mission to Sri Lanka in the 12-year history of the annual civil-military operation, and the Pacific Partnership mission in Sri Lanka continues through March 18 and will make follow-on mission stops in Malaysia and Vietnam.

Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, and aims to enhance regional coordination in areas such as medical readiness and preparedness for man-made and natural disasters.

Participating in this year's Sri Lanka mission are partner military and non-government personnel from the United States, Australia, and Japan.

USA: 12th Pacific Partnership mission to enhance regional ties, cooperation

From CTF 73 Public Affairs

File photo of USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4), the primary mission platform for Pacific Partnership 2017. (U.S. Navy) >>

SINGAPORE - The U.S. Navy will join allied and partner nation forces for the 12th Pacific Partnership mission, scheduled to begin March 1. This annual maritime operation will help improve disaster response preparedness and capacity while enhancing partnerships with participating nations throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region. This year's mission will be led by the Deputy Commander and staff from Coastal Riverine Group ONE, embarked on the expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4), and will include more than 200 supporting military and civilian personnel from the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and South Korea.

Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Vietnam are scheduled to host this year’s Pacific Partnership mission. Medical, dental, civil-engineering, and veterinary teams will partner with host nations to conduct civic-action projects, community health exchanges, medical symposiums, and humanitarian and disaster relief (HA/DR) drills. The planned engagements and exchanges during Pacific Partnership 17 are intended to improve capacity, enhance regional partnerships, and increase multilateral cooperation for HA/DR preparedness.

USA: Navy Command Prepares for Pacific Partnership Mission

By Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Fulton, USS Coronado

Singapore, Feb. 16, 2017 — Staff from Navy Supply Systems Command, Fleet Logistics Center Site Singapore, are providing logistical support for the joint high speed vessel USNS Fall River here today, initiating the final preparation phase for the 12th annual Pacific Partnership mission that will run from March through June.

The Fall River is the mission platform for Pacific Partnership 17, a multilateral mission that helps regional nations to improve their disaster response preparedness and capacities while enhancing partnerships throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

USA: U.S. 7th Fleet looks back at 2016, a year of firsts

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and JS Izumo (DDH 183) lead ships breaking formation during exercise Keen Sword in November. (U.S. Navy/MC1 Elijah G. Leinaar) >>

YOKOSUKA, Japan - Upgraded ships, new innovations and technologies, and partnerships were abound for U.S. 7th Fleet in 2016.

Seventh Fleet teamed up with allies and partner nations in more than 110 exercises to exchange information, enhance capabilities and train together throughout 2016. Major exercises included Keen Sword, Ulchi Freedom Guardian, Ssang Yong, and nine different Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) series exercises.

Some key events from 2016:

The 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge kicked off her patrol in February, traveling 13,000 nautical miles across the Indo-Asia-Pacific to strengthen partnerships and promote peace and stability in the region.

The ship visited 10 ports in 7 countries conducting various engagements such as staff talks, sports activities, receptions onboard the ship, community relations events, and much more.

During the patrol, various distinguished visitors came onboard including the Sri Lankan President, Maithripala Sirisena, Indian Minister of Defence, Manohar Parrikar, and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter.

USA: Nations Gather in Singapore to Plan Pacific Partnership 17

By Lt. j.g. Emily Wilkin, Commander, Task Force 73 Public Affairs

SINGAPORE (NNS) -- Pacific partnership staff and partner nation representatives met in Singapore, Nov. 8-10, for a planning conference to finalize details for the upcoming mission, slated for the spring of 2017. 

In its 12th year, Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. This year's mission will be led by Deputy Commander, Riverine Group (CRG) 1, embarked on the Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Fall River (T-EPF-4), and will include more than 200 military and civilian personnel from the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Chile, Singapore and South Korea. 

"This planning conference affords us the opportunity to build relationships with our partner nations that are critical to our success with the upcoming mission," said Capt. Stan Chien, deputy commodore of CRG-1 and Pacific Partnership mission commander. "Pacific Partnership allows us to establish, in some cases, and further develop, in other cases, multilateral cooperation with allied and partner nations. We look forward to continuing to work with them during the coming months."

USA: USNS Mercy returns to San Diego after Pacific Partnership

By Petty Officer 3rd Class Trevor Kohlrus

Sailors aboard USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) man the rails as the hospital ship returns to San Diego, Sept. 30. (U.S. Navy/PO2 Lindsey E. Skelton) >>

SAN DIEGO - Hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) returned to Naval Base San Diego Sept. 30 after a five-month deployment to Southeast Asia in support of Pacific Partnership 2016.

Mercy served as the command platform for the mission, and returns to San Diego with more than 600 Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and civilian mariners after mission stops in Timor Leste, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Throughout the mission Pacific Partnership personnel worked alongside their counterparts in each country to share knowledge and best practices in disaster response preparedness through subject matter expert exchanges, workshops and exercises in humanitarian assistance disaster relief, medical, civil-engineering, and Women, Peace and Security.

“Pacific Partnership was a resounding success," said Medical Treatment Facility Mercy Commanding Officer, Capt. Peter Roberts. "At our peak, Medical Treatment Facility Mercy had over 800 people working in the medical line of effort. They each brought their own special talents and a great deal of commitment to the mission. Much was asked of them and they really delivered over the last five months. Our focus on capacity building will have long lasting positive effects on those countries and our collective ability to work together and respond to crises of many types.”

USA: USNS Mercy returns to 3rd Fleet after Pacific Partnership

By MC3 Trevor Kohlrus, Pacific Partnership Public Affairs

USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) steams through the Pacific earlier this week. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Hank Gettys) >>

PACIFIC OCEAN - Pacific Partnership 2016, embarked aboard hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) arrived in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations Sept. 15, en route to Hawaii for a brief stop as the mission nears conclusion.

Mercy departed Naval Base San Diego May 11 and served as the command platform for the Pacific Partnership 2016 mission. Pacific Partnership is the largest annual, multilateral disaster response preparedness mission in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

"The objective was to improve interoperability between countries to strengthen the relationships and partnerships," said Cmdr. Miguel Gutierrez, director of medical operations, Pacific Partnership 2016.

USA: Pacific Partnership concludes 2016 mission

From Pacific Partnership Public Affairs

JS Shimokita (LST 4002) steams alongside USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) while transiting to Vietnam in July. (U.S. Marine Corps/Sgt. Brittney Vella) >>

PACIFIC OCEAN - The 11th annual Pacific Partnership mission departed the Western Pacific recently after completing mission stops throughout Southeast Asia.

The annual multilateral, multiservice mission saw partner nation counterparts working alongside one another in six countries to improve disaster response preparedness and enhance relationships in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multilateral disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. The 2016 mission was led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23, embarked aboard hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19). Approximately 1,200 military and civilian personnel from Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States participated for the duration or parts of the four-month long mission.