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New Zealanders Supporting Pacific Partnership 2008

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080814-11
Release Date: 8/14/2008 11:54:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Joshua Valcarcel, Pacific Partnership Public Affairs

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (NNS) -- Eight New Zealand military members joined the USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) team July 30 and are assisting in support of Pacific Partnership 2008's humanitarian mission in Papua New Guinea.

Since embarking Mercy in Darwin, Australia, three members of the New Zealand Army, one from the Royal New Zealand Air Force and four Royal New Zealand Navy sailors are working closely with U.S. Navy nurses, corpsmen and other partner nations and volunteers.

"The goal was to come aboard and work as a team with different nations," said Royal New Zealand Navy Leading Medic Tia Paitai. "It's all about coming together to help the locals who are less fortunate."

"It's been a different experience working with the New Zealanders, but a good one; I've never had the chance to work with people outside of the United States before," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Rheannon Androckities. "They're all pretty eager to work with us as well, and it's nice to have ambitious people around."

"It's been such a cool experience working here with all these people," added U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Arianne Sanchez. "We're learning a lot from each other."

Since their arrival, the New Zealand military has been providing assistance and support during various medical and dental civic action programs, as well as procedures performed aboard the ship.

"Pacific Partnership is very productive and obviously has the potential to do a lot of good, which it does," said New Zealand Army Lance Cpl. Joseph Konlechner, a medic attached to the 2nd Health Support Battalion.

"I was a little skeptical when I first came aboard, but I think what they're doing is good, simple, and decisive treatment that can change people's lives."

Pacific Partnership is a humanitarian and civic assistance mission aimed at building international relationships with partner nations. The U.S. Navy, working together with Military Sealift Command, non-governmental organizations, and other partners, is coordinating medical, dental, and engineering assistance to participating nations in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific.

"Mercy's gone out of their way to show us around and make sure we have everything we need, said Konlechner. "Their hospitality has been amazing."

For more news from Pacific Partnership 2008, visit www.navy.mil/local/PP08/.