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USNS Mercy Arrives in Ternate During Pacific Partnership 2010

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100719-15
7/19/2010

By Lt. j.g. Nelson Balido, Pacific Partnership 2010 Public Affairs

TERNATE, Indonesia (NNS) -- The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) arrived July 18 in Ternate, Indonesia, and will stay through July 24 as part of its visit to Indonesia, the second of three legs during Pacific Partnership 2010 (PP10).

"We thoroughly enjoyed a very productive four-day visit to Tobelo and Morotai, our first stop in North Maluku, Indonesia, and are looking forward to working in the Ternate area," said Commander, PP10, Capt. Lisa M. Franchetti. "Our time in Ternate will help us continue to establish the relationships that will help us to respond effectively in case of a natural disaster."

PP10 is the fifth in a series of annual U.S. Pacific Fleet endeavors conducted in Indonesia as a disaster relief exercise aimed at strengthening regional partnerships. Participating nations share their experiences and build critical disaster relief skills while they provide valuable services to the local populations.

Other PP10 participants for Indonesia include medical and engineering professionals from Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Indonesia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the U.S. military. Additionally, volunteers from the non-governmental organizations HOPE worldwide; Latter-day Saint Charities; Project HOPE; University of California, San Diego Pre-Dental Society; Vets Without Borders; and World Vets are on board Mercy as integral team members to serve the medical needs of the Ternate people and other surrounding communities.

This is Mercy's third visit to Indonesia. Previously, the Mercy helped support the international relief efforts after the December 2004 tsunami struck Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean basin. The Mercy returned in 2006 to help implement medical relief programs in Bangladesh, Timor Leste and the Philippines.

Mercy has completed the first two Pacific Partnership 2010 mission visits to Vietnam and Cambodia and other stops in Tobelo and Morotai in the North Maluku province of Indonesia. After Ternate, the ship will go to Ambon for the final phase of the Indonesian exercise.