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Pacific Partnership Arrives in Papua New Guinea

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070808-18
Release Date: 8/8/2007 6:15:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathaniel J. Karl, USS Peleliu Public Affairs

MADANG, Papua New Guinea (NNS) -- After caring for more than 18,000 patients in the Philippines and Vietnam, the Pacific Partnership team arrived off the coast of Madang, Aug. 7 to continue its mission of providing humanitarian assistance throughout the Pacific Region.

Partnership members aboard USS Peleliu (LHA 5) will work with the local government in providing medical, dental and engineering assistance programs during the ship's 10-day visit in the area.

"The multi-nation and service support during Pacific Partnership shows our dedication to work together as one team and to help those in need around the world," said Capt. Ed Rhoades, Peleliu's commanding officer. "This mission shows the support and dedication that we have for the health and stability of the Southeast Asia and Oceania region."

Peleliu has worked with host nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for the health and stability of the regions during the four-month mission.

Lt. Ryan Pomicter, a flight surgeon embarked aboard Peleliu from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 14 said he looks forward to helping people in the country.

"Pacific partnership is a once in a lifetime experience that I volunteered for,” he said. “Helping people and providing services for them that they may not have had an opportunity to get before is a very gratifying experience for myself."

Peleliu has worked with many nations and NGOs for Pacific Partnership including Project Hope, the Aloha Medical Mission of Hawaii and the University of California San Diego Pre-Dental Society.

The multi-nation support features personnel from Australia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore and New Zealand.

Other support comes from everyday crew members, like Information System Technician 3rd Class Eric McDaniel.

"Pacific Partnership has been a great experience for me so far and I look forward to helping out at the countries that are scheduled for the rest of this mission," said McDaniel. "Even though I don't work in a medical or engineering field, it is nice to still be able to pitch in and give a helping hand."

The Pacific Partnership team will visit the Solomon Islands and the Marshall Islands before wrapping up in mid-September.