News Story: (Vietnam) Deputy Defence Minister meets Vice Chief of Australia’s Defense Force

Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam and Australia need to maintain and develop further their defense cooperation, said Lieutenant General Phan Van Giang, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA), and Deputy Minister of National Defense.

He made the statement at a meeting with Vice Admiral Raymond Griggs, Vice Chief of Australia’s Defense Force, in Hanoi on July 27, as part of the guest’s ongoing visit to Vietnam from July 26-30.

Giang said the bilateral defense cooperation has reaped positive outcomes over the past time, including the effective implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding in the field signed in 2010.

He affirmed that Vietnam always attaches great importance to the comprehensive cooperation with Australia and hoped the two sides will increase all-level delegation exchanges and explore new cooperation spheres.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

News Story: Remaining Maute positions breached

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

By Roel Pareño

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines  – Government troops have breached the remaining defensive positions of remnants of the Maute terror group in Marawi City, the military announced yesterday.

Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, spokesman for Task Force Marawi, said the soldiers have recovered the bodies of several slain terrorists along with their armaments.

He said bodies of civilians were also recovered, but did not say how many.

Herrera said there are still terrorists occupying buildings and mosques in four barangays in the commercial district of Marawi.

The military said the terrorists’ resistance continues to wane and the areas they hold are getting fewer as government security forces press their advance.

Sustained air strikes have also softened the areas held by the terrorists.

Herrera said the troops have cleared 16 buildings and soldiers have entered two more to flush out the terrorists.

Advancing troops have taken control of strategic vantage points in tall buildings, according to Herrera.

Read the full story at PhilStar

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.

News Story: Chinese peacekeeping force's authority transfer ceremony held in Lebanon

BEIRUT, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Chief of Staff of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Brig. Gen. Pierre Liot De Nortbecourt chaired on Monday the 15th CHINBATT Transfer of Authority (rotation) ceremony.

De Nortbecourt supervised the 15th Chinese Peacekeeping Operation Force Transfer of Authority to the 16th one along with the Captain of the 16th Chinese Multifunctional Engineering Contingent in the south Lebanese village of Hinnieh by the port city of Tyre.

The ceremony was attended by China's Ambassador to Lebanon Wang Kejian, Brig. Gen. Khalil Al-Gemayel representing Lebanon's Minister of Defense, the governor of Tyre and other various military and political figures.

De Nortbecourt expressed his gratitude for the work accomplished by the parting 15th Chinese contingent.

He specifically highlighted his appreciation for "the construction of a 300-meter shooting range in Naqoura which was built in a very difficult environment and which enables UNIFIL to benefit from what is an essential operational training asset."

Read the full story at Xinhua

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.