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Australia’s involvement in Pacific Partnership 2012 has drawn to a successful conclusion following the return of Australia’s contingent.
The United States Navy Pacific Fleet-led Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual humanitarian assistance program in the Asia-Pacific region, delivering medical, dental, engineering and veterinary aid projects to participating host nations which, this year, included Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Through the civic aid projects participating nations build regional capability to respond to any future large-scale natural disaster.
During the 14 week partnership, some 64 ADF engineers, medical, dental, veterinary and supporting personnel worked as part of the 1100-strong multinational force of regional military and non-government organisation specialists based onboard the United States Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy.
United States Navy Pacific Fleet Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Russell Penniman said the Australian-United States defence relationship was one of the strongest military relationships in the Pacific region.
“Over just the last few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to observe the Australian Defence Force partner with us both on Pacific Partnership and RIMPAC 2012,” Rear Admiral Penniman said.
“Our relationship could not be stronger and our trust and cooperation is enduring.
“Having Australians participate every year on Pacific Partnership has proven tremendously beneficial toward laying the foundation for this multinational mission.”
Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Ash Power said the ADF’s continuing involvement in the Pacific Partnership series reinforced the dedication the nation had to both the Alliance with the United States and to regional disaster response capability.
“Australia is a nation that stands by its friends through the best and the most challenging of times,” he said.
“Our ability to work closely with the United States military is fundamental to our nation’s security, and our unswerving commitment to our neighbours in times of crisis has been proven again and again with our assistance in recent years to Indonesia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Japan following tragic major natural disasters.
“By working together we stand better prepared to deal with the uncertainty of the future.”