Engaging in the Pacific

Adm Willard secures a bridge pin at a PP09 engineering project in Kiribati.

Pacific Partnership brings U.S. Navy Fleet Commander to Kirabati

Commander of the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet, Admiral Robert Willard, and his wife Donna, are in Kiribati to support Pacific Partnership 2009 (PP09).  PP09 is this year's U.S. Navy humanitarian mission to the Pacific:  It's personnel are working on a variety of civic assistance programs ranging from veterinary to engineering projects, in locations throughout Kiribati, including Bonriki, Tungaru, Tobontemaneaba and Betio.

PP09 has already visited Samoa, Tonga, New Caledonia, and the Solomon Islands to carry out a number of humanitarian projects.  The Pacific Partnership personnel are primarily drawn from the U.S. Pacific Fleet, but also includes members from partner nations, and this year has once again included members of the NZ Defence Force, such as Royal New Zealand Navy medics.

Pacific Partnership evolved from Operation Unified Endeavor, the U.S. Government’s response to the December 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia.  It is the U.S. Navy's dedicated humanitarian and civic assistance mission conducted with and through partner nations, non-governmental organizations and other U.S. and international government agencies to execute a variety of humanitarian civic action missions in the Pacific Fleet area of responsibility.
 

Wind energy electricuty generation in Hawaii

2009 Asia Pacific Clean Energy Summit and Expo

The state of Hawaii, U.S. Pacific Command, and the Defense Energy Support Center, has organised the 2009 Asia Pacific Clean Energy Summit and Expo August 31-September 3, 2009, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The 2009 Asia Pacific Clean Energy Summit and Expo centers around  various renewable energy initiatives and policies throughout the Asia-Pacific region.  It will also include a trade show for innovative technologies, services and ideas.  The Department of Defense will also have a "DOD Day" featuring plans and procurement opportunities for energy projects throughout the Asia-Pacific region. (more)

July 17 - U.S. Navy builder Mike Howe works with local villagers Toofohe Tuivailala and Saiti Makaafi during Pacific Partnership 2009.

Ushering in Change: A New Era for U.S. Regional Policy in the Pacific

On July 29, Alcy Frelick (Director for Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island Affairs) gave a statement before the Asia, Pacific, Global Environment Subcommittee of House Foreign Affairs Committee on U.S. Policy in the Pacific.

Chairman Faleomavaega, Ranking Member Manzullo, and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for inviting me to appear today to testify on U.S. policy towards the nations of the Pacific. I welcome the opportunity to address our policy towards this important region.

The United States values its longstanding and close relationships with the countries and peoples of the Pacific. Indeed, the United States is itself a Pacific nation, with a lengthy Pacific coast, stretching as far west as Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands and encompassing American Samoa and Hawaii. Nothing could better underscore this fact than the election last year of Barack Obama, a native of Hawaii, as the 44th President of the United States.

The United States engages with the Pacific Island countries in both a bilateral and multilateral manner to address issues of pressing concern to the United States, the region, and the world. Our multifaceted engagement with the Pacific covers the gamut from addressing climate change to maintaining a robust missile defense infrastructure. Most importantly, we seek to work with the governments and peoples of the Pacific to foster stable, democratic, and prosperous countries … (more)
 

Pacific Partnership in Pictures

While in Samoa, the Pacific Partnership crew recorded their visit with photographs, such as the one shown right:

SAVAI'I, Samoa (July 08, 2009) A local woman hugs Capt. John Shaub, deputy Pacific Partnership 2009 mission commander, at a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the renovation of the assembly hall at the Sasina Primary School.  This marked the end of a 10-day Engineering Civic Action Project (ENCAP) completed by Pacific Partnership 2009 engineers from the U.S., Australia and New Zealand.

The Sasina Primary School provides education for children first through eighth grade and acts as a community meeting hall when school is not in session. The U.S. Navy's Pacific Partnership is the dedicated humanitarian and civil assistance mission conducted by, with and through partner nations, non-governmental organizations and other U.S. and international government agencies to execute a variety of humanitarian civic action missions in the Pacific Fleet area of responsibility.

Pacific Partnership is currently in Oceania, and plans to continue travel to Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands and Tonga. The USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) serves as the enabling platform for U.S. and partner nation military and non-governmental organizations to coordinate humanitarian civic assistance efforts. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Joshua Valcarcel.

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Joshua Valcarcel )

Pacifc Partnership 2009

APIA, Samoa - (July 07, 2009)

The U.S. Navy's Pacific Partnership is the dedicated humanitarian and civil assistance mission conducted by, with and through partner nations, non-governmental organizations and other U.S. and international government agencies to execute a variety of humanitarian civic action missions in the Pacific Fleet area of responsibility.

Shown left, Pacific Partnership 2009 team members from New Zealand and the United States Public Health Service teach children about the importance of washing their hands at a Medical Civic Action Project (MEDCAP) site held at the Apia Community Center.

This year Pacific Partnership will travel to Oceania, including Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga. The USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) serves as the enabling platform for U.S. and partner nation military and non-governmental organizations to coordinate humanitarian civic assistance efforts. (more)
 

Cmdr. Joseph Yang instructs Pacific Partnership 09 personnel in the use of medical equipment which will be used during their activities.

Introducing Pacific Partnership 2009 

The U.S. Navy’s Pacific Partnership mission of humanitarian projects is visiting Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Kiribati this year. The project has begun with the June 30 –July 11 visit to Samoa, where it will include medical, dental, veterinary, engineering and other projects.

Follow the activities and progress of Pacific Partnership 2009 at www.cpf.navy.mil; or on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, or the Pacific Partnership blog.

Brigadier General Edwin Vincent of Pacific Command addresses a group of Samoans who are U.S. military veterans at a breakfast meeting at the home of Chargée d'Affaires Robin Yeager

General Vincent of Pacific Command celebrates Samoan Independence Day 

Brigadier General Edwin “Skip” Vincent, the Strategic Planning and Policy Mobilization Assistant from Pacific Command, and a group of colleagues were in Samoa for the celebration of Samoa’s Independence holiday, May 31-June 2.

The trip was part of a familiarization swing through a number of countries in the region.  While in Samoa the General enjoyed the Independence celebrations, including a parade and boat races, attended the official garden party, and met with representatives of the Government of Samoa, as well as other key contacts of both the U.S. military and the U.S. Embassy.

The major message of the General’s visit was, “we’re here to learn and find ways to work together more in the future.”  (gallery)

Climate Change Impacts Across America: A renewed focus for decisions

On June 16, the White House helped to launch a new science report representing a consensus of 13 agencies developed over a year and half and focused on potential climate change impacts on the United States.

It’s the most comprehensive report to date on the possible impacts of climate change for everyone across America, and begins an important process of redefining the sort of information we need in order to deal with climate change at national and regional scales.… (more)
 

President Obama at the D-Day 65th Anniversary Ceremony in Normandy.

Heroes of D-Day Changed the Course of an Entire Century

It was unknowable on June 6, 1944, but much of the progress that defined the 20th century began when Allied forces stormed a slice of French beach only six miles long and two miles wide, President Obama said in a speech commemorating the 65th anniversary of the World War II D-Day landings.
“What we must not forget is that D-Day was a time and a place where the bravery and the selflessness of a few was able to change the course of an entire century,” Obama said at the elegantly maintained American Cemetery above Omaha Beach near Colleville-sur-Mer in Normandy. Unlike the overcast day 65 years ago, the afternoon commemoration took place under beautiful skies.
It was at Omaha and similar beaches with code names like Juno, Sword, Gold and Utah and at Point du Hoc that the Allied armies of Britain, Canada, Poland, the Free French and the United States landed in the largest amphibious landing in modern history, aided by daring behind-the-lines airborne landings of American and British paratroopers … (more)
 

"Pacific Islanders strengthen the fabric of American society"

President Obama, has issued a Proclamation declaring May to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, to "remember the challenges and celebrate the achievements" of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S.

"The vast diversity of languages, religions, and cultural traditions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders continue to strengthen the fabric of American society," said the President.  He recognised that Asian and Pacific Islanders have had to endure much in American history, from early prejudice and discrimination during the Gold Rush years, through to "the darkness of the Exclusion Act and Japanese internment".

But despite these historic hardships and struggles, America has proved to be the land of opportunity for Asian and Pacific Islanders too, and their presence and successes have helped build the nation.  "Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have contributed in great and significant ways to all aspects of society. They have created works of literature and art, thrived as American athletes, and prospered in the world of academia," continued the President.

In issuing his Proclamation, President Obama continues an annual tradition that dates back to 1990, when President H.W. Bush declared the first Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.  Prior even to this, the first week in May had been designated Asian Pacific American Heritage Week, through congressional Joint Resolution signed by the President. [Full text]

Pacific Partnership 2009 Announced

This year’s Pacific Partnership, the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s annual humanitarian civic assistance mission, has been announced.  Pacific Partnership 2009 is the fourth in the series of humanitarian missions that work in concert with partner nations, non-governmental organizations, and other U.S. Government agencies.

In recent years, New Zealand has been one of the partners in Pacific Partnership, with New Zealand Navy medical personnel hosted aboard as part of the mission.

This year’s mission will be based on board the transport ship USS Dubuque , and is slated to conduct engineering projects and provide medical, dental, and veterinary assistance to Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands.

Pacific Partnership traces its origins to the unprecedented international response to the 2004 Asia tsunami.  Collaborative efforts such as Pacific Partnership are a part of U.S. Pacific Command’s (USPACOM) focus on partnership, and on working throughout the Asia-Pacific region with friends and allies to be better prepared to face challenges and crisis together. (more)