SATTAHIP, Thailand - USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4), a Military Sealift Command expeditionary fast transport ship, arrived in Sattahip, Thailand for the final mission stop of Pacific Partnership 2019, May 18.
Pacific Partnership has evolved over the years from emphasis on direct care to an operation focused on enhancing partnerships through host nation subject matter expert and civil-military exchanges.
"Our collaboration will benefit the people in the Indo-Pacific Region," said Royal Thai Armed Forces Lt. Col. Sasipandh Hiranwong, a planner for the mission stop in Thailand. “We hope that all countries in the region will hear about this mission and join in the future."
The mission in Thailand incorporates knowledge exchanges that include engineering civic-action projects, humanitarian assistance-disaster relief drills, medical and dental readiness in addition to outreach events and band performances.
Working at the invitation of each host nation, Pacific Partnership brings together military and civilian partner nation personnel from Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Peru, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
"Countries from all over the world come together to collaborate and learn how to best communicate in times of crisis,” said Capt. Randy Van Rossum, Pacific Partnership 2019 mission commander. “Throughout our time here, we maintain existing friendships and are creating new ones.”
Pacific Partnership, now in its 14th iteration, is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Each year, the mission team works collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase stability and security in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships across the Indo-Pacific.