BY MIKE TUA
THE Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) is expected to arrive in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on August 29, Monday for its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission visit to Pacific Partnership 2022.
This year’s mission to the Solomon Islands will include participants from the United States, Japan, and Australia.
Pacific Partnership 2022 (PP22) is a joint effort between the United States and foreign militaries, non-governmental organizations, and partner-nation support organizations to conduct humanitarian and civic assistance, as well as veterinary, medical, dental, and civil engineering support.
Charge D Affairs of the United States Embassy in the Solomon Islands, Russell M. Comeau says the arrival of the USNS Mercy to Honiara shows the solid US commitment to the Solomon Islands.
“USNS Mercy and its crew will be visiting the Solomon Islands next week as part of the 17th year of Pacific Partnership 2022 missions. The initiative demonstrates the US commitment to the Pacific partners in strengthening friendships.
“This is an effort that starts many months ago, it’s another symbol of the friendship and cooperation between the Solomon Islands and the United States government – this is a gift from the American people to the people of Solomon Islands and as we extend our hand in friendship, we are grateful for our friends in the Pacific for the work we were able to do together out here,” said Russell told local journalists at a press conference held at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara.
Russell acknowledged Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare and his cabinet for their cordial support of this year’s mission to the Solomon Islands.
“I want to thank the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister and Cabinet Office for their support on this mission, without it, it won’t be possible.
“I am also grateful for the work and coordination with the various government ministries – the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, and Ministry of Education and Human Resources,” the Charge D Affairs of the United States Embassy in the Solomon Islands said.
The two-week engagement in Honiara upon the arrival of the US Navy Ship (USNS) Mercy (T-AH 19) will include medical care and exchange, engineering projects, discussion on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and community outreach event, including concerts and sporting events.
PP22 returns to the Solomon Islands, continuing to build on a foundation established during previous missions. Now in its year, the pacific partnership is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-pacific.
Pacific Partnership is a unifying mission that fosters enduring friendship and cooperation among many nations. PP22 are coordinated with the host nation and are planned based on the requirement and requests of the Solomon Islands.
Mercy is a converted San Clemente-class supertanker with a length of 894 feet. In its deployed state, the hospital ship carries up to 1,215 medical personnel and provides full hospital capabilities and services, including surgery, radiology, optometry, dermatology, physical therapy, dialysis, a pharmacy, a blood bank, and dental. The Mercy’s primary mission is to provide rapid, flexible, and mobile acute medical and surgical services to support Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force units deployed ashore, and naval amphibious task forces and battle forces afloat.
