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Tongan Engineers Contribute to Pacific Partnership

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090712-11
Release Date: 7/12/2009 7:10:00 AM

By Lt. Cmdr. Christina Skacan, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga (NNS) -- Working determinedly to finish prior to the onset of the rainy season, 22 Tongan Defence Services Rural Development Unit (TDS RDU) engineers currently lead the efforts of the Tongan phase of Pacific Partnership 2009.

With projects in and around Ha'apai, the engineers at sites on Lifuka and Foa Islands focus primarily on building much needed new roofs and repairing old roofs for three primary schools, a community center and a medical clinic.

"These sites were identified by the Ha'apai community as most in need during the pre-deployment site survey community engagement meetings where local community leaders were asked to detail their priority needs," said Lt. Cmdr. Richard Parry, a Royal Australian Navy Civil Military Cooperation officer working with the Pacific Partnership advance team in Tonga.

"In addition, a weather proof roof allows other work to be done inside the buildings after the mission main body arrives on July 13 and our ability to get a jump start with this roofing activity supports our mission success," added Parry.

The five engineering civic action projects will combine with two medical civic action projects and four medical outreach expeditions to remote island locations during the two weeks of Pacific Partnership in Tonga. One of the primary schools with a newly refurbished roof will also serve as a medical site for the local community.

"For the Tongan engineers, this is a very excellent opportunity to work closely with the U.S. Navy engineers and learn from each other," said 2nd Lt. Hola Iketau, a graduate of the Australian School of Military Engineering leading the RDU members in Ha'apai. "The TDS RDU Detachment is looking forward to working together with the Pacific Partnership construction team once they are on the ground."

Sustaining partnerships forged during previous missions, the team for Pacific Partnership 2009 includes military personnel from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States, plus civilian volunteers from a variety of non-governmental organizations who will work alongside their Tongan partners.

In addition to medical and engineering civic action projects, Pacific Partnership will conduct dental and veterinary programs ashore at locations in and around Ha'apai, Tonga.