14 September 2010
For immediate release
More than 6000 patients in ENB treated by ADF and US Navy
Australian Defence Force (ADF) and United States Navy personnel treated 6500 patients and completed three engineering projects in the areas of Rabaul and Kokopo in East New Britain Province during Pacific Partnership 2010 from 3 to 11 September.
Head of Australian Defence Staff in Papua New Guinea, Colonel Mark Shephard, thanked the ADF personnel for their commitment to the mission in the province.
“You have been good ambassadors of Pacific Partnership 2010, the Australian Defence Force and Australia, and your work has made a positive difference to the lives of the people of East New Britain,” Colonel Shephard said.
Pacific Partnership 2010, described by East New Britain Deputy Provincial Manager for Corporate Affairs, Matalau Nakikus, as a ‘healthy program’ for East New Britain, gave people the opportunity to access free specialist medical services including dental and optical care.
The ADF commitment to the mission included Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Tobruk as the first Australian ship to act as command platform during the last leg of the mission to Papua New Guinea (PNG).
“It was such a unique experience to conduct the Mission from a ship other than a United States Navy vessel. The PNG mission was a huge success and I am in no doubt that the reason for that lies with the crew of HMAS Tobruk: their commitment and hospitality was unwavering,” said United States Navy Captain Lisa Franchetti, PP10 Mission Commander.
HMA Ships Labuan and Tarakan provided logistic support in Indonesia and East Timor and increased the mission’s reach by hosting medical, dental and veterinary teams in more remote locations.
“The heavy landing craft were an essential asset in both countries. The professionalism and good nature of both ships’ companies ensured that our remote teams were well looked after and in turn could achieve their objectives each day,” said Captain Franchetti.
More than 300 ADF personnel have visited five countries, treating more than 110 000 patients and completing 22 engineering projects over the course of Pacific Partnership, an annual United States Navy Pacific Fleet led humanitarian mission. The medical, dental and engineering personnel have worked alongside military and non-government organisation personnel throughout the course of the four-month mission providing humanitarian assistance and strengthening regional relationships.
More than 35 engineers from the Australian Army’s Second Combat Engineer Regiment worked with United States Navy Seabees and host nation personnel in Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, East Timor and PNG on various engineering projects. Rotating three contingents of engineers during the mission, they restored school buildings, repaired roofs of health clinics and drilled and developed water wells.
Medical and dental personnel from all three services provided health care to patients in all five countries: at medical clinics and surgeries onboard USNS Mercy whilst also participating in subject matter expert exchanges and health education programs.