The humanitarian mission Pacific Partnership 2024-2 has officially commenced in Legazpi, Philippines, marking its 20th iteration. The expeditionary fast transport ship USNS City of Bismarck (T-EPF 9) arrived at the Port of Legazpi on July 30, 2024, bringing together U.S. Navy Sailors, U.S. Army Soldiers, Australian Defense Force members, and British Armed Forces personnel.

A Rich History of Collaboration

Pacific Partnership originated from the devastating 2004 tsunami that impacted South and Southeast Asia. Initially a military-led humanitarian response, the mission has evolved into the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission in the Indo-Pacific region. The mission emphasizes collaboration with host and partner nations to enhance disaster response capabilities, regional interoperability, and maritime security.

Objectives and Activities

The mission’s objectives include improving regional cooperation, increasing security and stability, and fostering enduring relationships. The activities planned in Legazpi, which will run until August 14, 2024, involve training exercises with local medical and disaster relief personnel, community health engagements, and infrastructure improvement projects.

Captain Daniel J. Keeler, the mission commander, highlighted the importance of this collaboration: “Our nations share a rich history of collaboration, and we look forward to strengthening our enhanced cooperation and interoperability in the days and years ahead.”

Key Projects and Initiatives

Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): Training on incident command systems, emergency operations, urban search and rescue, mountain search and rescue, and geographic information systems.

Medical Missions: Medical and dental services provided to local communities.

Engineering Projects: Construction and renovation of schools, with plans to assist approximately 12 schools in Legazpi.

Host Nation Outreach Events: Community engagements to strengthen ties and build goodwill.

Future Stops and Historical Impact

Following Legazpi, the mission will proceed to Vanuatu, Vietnam, and the Federated States of Micronesia. This year’s Pacific Partnership builds on previous missions, which have significantly improved disaster response capabilities and strengthened ties between participating nations.

The USNS City of Bismarck, with its versatile design, supports various operations and includes facilities such as a flight deck for day and night aircraft operations, making it ideal for the mission’s needs.

Pacific Partnership continues to be a cornerstone for regional cooperation, preparedness, and response to humanitarian crises, embodying a collective effort to build a resilient Indo-Pacific region.