USNS Mercy Sails to Papua New Guinea for PP15

The US Navy’s hospital ship USNS Mercy ship (T-AH 19) arrived in Arawa, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, on June 26 for its second mission stop of Pacific Partnership 2015.

While in Arawa, PP15 personnel will work and train side-by-side with the community on civic service events, women’s leadership and safety topics, medical and veterinary care.

The Mercy crew will also work in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby and the host nation government to host several engagements focusing on women’s health and violence prevention.

To accomplish so many events during the seven-day stay in Arawa, Pacific Partnership will have a larger footprint this year than in previous visits to Papua New Guinea. The hospital ship arrived with more than 900 personnel, including volunteers from eight non-governmental organizations and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

PP15 participants on the ship and on the ground include personnel from the United States, Australia, Timor Leste, Japan, and New Zealand. All PP15 personnel will work collectively with the Papua New Guinea government and local community on the various medical, dental, veterinary and engineering civic action projects.

The Mercy crew is scheduled to work in Arawa through July 3, when the ship and crew will move to their next port of call in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea.

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Image: US Navy