Pacific Partnership Kicks-Off Final Mission in Micronesia

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8/21/2008 -- CHUUK STATE, Federated States of Micronesia (NNS) -- The naval hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) and her crew of U.S. military, partner-nation representatives and non-governmental organizations (NGO) arrived in Chuuk, Micronesia, Aug. 22 for the final mission of Pacific Partnership 2008.

Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19): The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) transits the Pacific Ocean as it makes its way to its last mission site, the Federated States of Micronesia. Mercy will provide humanitarian civic assistance to the country as part of Pacific Partnership 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Logico

Micronesia, a former United Nations Trust Territory under the administration of the United States, is the fifth and final stop for the four-month humanitarian deployment to Southeast Asia and Oceania.

This mission reflects a longstanding tie between the United States and Micronesia, as well as a continued commitment to work together to assist the people of Micronesia with this humanitarian outreach.

The Pacific Partnership team is scheduled to spend approximately 10 days in Micronesia. The effort is being carried out in conjunction with the NGOs and in close coordination and partnership with local medical care professionals. Volunteers from Project Hope and University of California at San Diego Pre-dental society will also work with Pacific Partnership in Micronesia, as is a contingent of medical specialists from Canada and India.

A team of naval engineers from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 and Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 will conduct repair and construction projects ashore, some of which are in place to improve medical and sanitary conditions.

Along with the missions being conducted in Chuuk, Pacific Partnership has an advanced team of 26 medical personnel and 20 Seabees conducting humanitarian assistance on the islands of Pohnpei and Yap.

The Pacific Partnership humanitarian mission has also included visits to the Republic of the Philippines, Vietnam, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea.

Source: US Navy