USNS Mercy Arrives in Bougainville

Twenty-four Australian Defence Force personnel have arrived in Bougainville onboard United States Navy Ship Mercy for Pacific Partnership 2015.

More than 650 military personnel, as well as host nation and non-government organisation civilians will support the mission.

Conducted annually, Pacific Partnership is a United States-sponsored humanitarian and civic assistance mission aimed at strengthening international relationships with partner and host nations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Commander of the Australian contingent, Commander Ken Walters, said the 2015 mission would be the most complex and multi-national to date.

“Two ships will provide support to the effort in the Pacific region,” Commander Walters said.

“USNS Mercy, the San Diego based 1000-bed hospital ship, will conduct visits of up to 14 days in two areas of Fiji, Bougainville, Rabaul, two areas in the Philippines and Da Nang in Vietnam from June to September.”

Medical screening has already started ashore in Bougainville and specialists across a wide range of disciplines in USNS Mercy are beginning to provide treatment to local people who might otherwise not have access to the high level of medical care available through the Pacific Partnership mission.

Members of the Australian Defence Force are participating alongside regional military partners from the United States, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Canada, Fiji, Timor Leste and Singapore.

Although Pacific Partnership is a US Navy-led mission, this year the command team has an Anzac touch, with Australia and New Zealand filling the significant roles of Deputy Mission Commander, Captain Brian Delamont (Royal Australian Navy) and Chief of Staff, Wing Commander Jennifer Atkinson (Royal New Zealand Air Force).
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Image: Australian Navy