Joint media release from the Australian High Commission, Port Moresby, and the Embassy of the United States of America, Port Moresby
3 September 2010
For immediate release
East New Britain welcomes Pacific Partnership 2010
Immunisation against measles and the renovating of buildings including the Malaguna Technical High School laboratory are among the medical, dental, community service and engineering programs Exercise Pacific Partnership 2010 will provide to East New Britain during its eight day visit to the province.
The United States (US) Pacific Fleet sponsored humanitarian mission with the Royal Australian Navy Ship HMAS Tobruk as the command platform was welcomed to the province by Governor Leo Dion during an opening ceremony in Rabaul today.
Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Tobruk, and the US Navy Frigate USS Vandegrift are hosting a multi-national team, including personnel from the US Navy, Papua New Guinea Defence Force, partner nations and non-government organisations, to provide humanitarian assistance to people in the province.
Pacific Partnership 2010 Mission Commander US Navy Captain Lisa M.Franchetti, said, “It is incredibly exciting to be in Papua New Guinea, aboard an Australian ship with new partners and a great visit ahead.”
Head of Australian Defence Staff in Papua New Guinea Colonel Mark Shephard said, “We’re proud that the Australian Defence Force is contributing in a significant way, especially by providing the HMAS Tobruk as the mission command platform for this important final stage of the mission here in East New Britain.”
Ambassador of the United States of America to Papua New Guinea, Teddy Taylor said, “I know Pacific Partnership 2010 will leave a deep lasting positive impact on the East New Britain Province.”
Mr Dion, Ambassador Taylor, Colonel Shephard, and Captain Franchetti were among other dignitaries and high-ranking military officials who attended the opening ceremony.
Pacific Partnership is a US sponsored Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief mission conducted by, with and through host nations, partner nations, non-governmental organizations and other Government agencies in the US Pacific Fleet Area of Responsibility.
In PNG, Pacific Partnership was held in 2007 in Madang and 2008 in Port Moresby and the Oro Province.