“It’s wonderful for our mission to return to Palau, where we look forward to working alongside our multinational allies, partners, and friends as we prepare in calm for possible future time of crisis,” said Capt. Mark B. Stefanik, mission commander for Pacific Partnership. “It’s exciting to be here, as our nations share a rich history of collaboration and cultural ties. We look forward to strengthening that mutual cooperation and friendship in the days and years ahead.”
Pacific Partnership mission includes stops in the Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Palau, Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu and the Philippines.
“I’m excited to collaborate with the pharmacy staff in Palau, who are asking excellent clinical questions and showing strong engagement,” said Lt. Kamara Gray, pharmacist with the Pacific Partnership medical team. “One area I am particularly looking forward to is antimicrobial stewardship, training on how to use antibiotics appropriately, including knowing the right time to transition from oral to intravenous treatments. I’m also eager to learn about the antibiotics that are no longer effective here due to resistance.”
Pacific Partnership fosters multilateral cooperation and emphasizes a multinational and whole-of-government approach by planning and executing operations with partner nation militaries, host nation civilian agencies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, the U.S. State Department, U.S. interagency, and other U.S military service branches. This subsequently provides a strong foundation of trust and enhances our collective ability to respond in times of crisis.
In the aftermath of the December 2004 tsunami that devastated parts of South and Southeast Asia, the United States mobilized numerous military assests and personnel to support the relief effort. Recognizing the opportunity to build on the goodwill and lessons learned from Pacific Partnership began as a military-led humanitarian response to one of the world’s most catastrophic natural disasters. Building on the success and goodwill and lessons learned from that initial mission, the U.S. Navy planned and executed the inaugural Pacific Partnership mission in 2006; its primary aim was to proactively prepare for a more effective response to natural disasters while strengthening relationships and security ties between nations.
Pacific Partnership, now in its 21st iteration, is the largest multinational humanitarian and civic assistance mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Each year, the mission team works alongside partners and allies to strengthen relationships, bolster host nation capacity to provide essential humanitarian services, and support efforts to reduce the risk of, prepare for, and respond to disasters. The PP25 team is led by U.S. Navy Capt. Mark B. Stefanik, commander of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 31, serving as the mission commander.
For more information about Pacific Partnership visit, www.clwp.navy.mil/Pacific-Partnership.
