Pacific Partnership 2024-2 Wraps Up Mission in Yap, Micronesia

YAP, Federated States of Micronesia – A multinational team representing Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States concluded their mission stop in Colonia, Yap, on September 10, as part of the Pacific Partnership 2024-2 (PP24-2) operation. The closing ceremony was held at the Yap Living History Museum.

The mission lasted 11 days and aimed to enhance humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) preparedness in the Indo-Pacific. Over 70 participants engaged in the mission.

“Each year, the Pacific Partnership team collaborates with our allies and partners to strengthen our capacities to respond to humanitarian disasters,” said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata. “This mission is a testament of our commitment to ensure a safer, more resilient region.”

During their stay, the team carried out over 50 medical events, attended to around 700 patients, distributed nearly 300 pairs of eyeglasses, and performed more than 30 tooth extractions. They also repaired dental chairs, x-ray machines, and sterilizers, and conducted expert exchanges in various disciplines.

The Pacific Partnership HA/DR team, in partnership with the Yap State Disaster Control Office and the U.S. Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, held workshops on emergency operations and boating safety.

Yap Governor Charles Chieng expressed gratitude: “I thank you for the humanitarian aid accorded to our people to improve our lives, knowledge, skills, health, and well-being in dealing with disasters, repairs, and restoration of our societal construct.”

The mission’s outreach team organized 25 community engagement events, including school visits, cleaning World War II memorial crash sites, U.S. Navy recruiting events, interfaith dialogue sessions, and concerts featuring the Pacific Partnership Band.

Engineering efforts involved members from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5, the 30th Naval Construction Regiment, and Yapese experts in repairing and maintaining equipment at Yap International Airport.

“Our collective efforts included medical, engineering, disaster relief, and community outreach projects, each highlighting the importance of partnership,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Daniel Keeler. “The success of these efforts would not have been possible without the cooperation of our Yapese hosts and the local community. We are especially grateful.”

Now in its 20th year, the Pacific Partnership is the U.S. Navy’s largest annual multinational HA/DR preparedness mission in the Indo-Pacific, aimed at enhancing regional interoperability and fostering new and enduring friendships.