Pacific Partnership Completes Final Phase of Mission, Departs Federated States of Micronesia

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Farrington, Pacific Partnership 2011 Public Affairs

POHNPEI, Federated States of Micronesia (NNS) -- Pacific Partnership 2011 (PP11) team departed the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), completing the fifth and final phase of the mission, July 14.

Amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7), had arrived in FSM 12 days prior with representatives from four of the U.S. service branches, and with members from the partner nations of Australia, Canada, Spain, and Malaysia. Medical officers from the Japan Self Defense Force (JSDF) also provided support at multiple medical civic action projects in FSM.

The PP11 team engaged in medical, dental, veterinary, engineering, and community service civic action projects in all four states of the FSM - Pohnpei, Chuuk, Kosrae and Yap. Nearly 6,200 Micronesians received treatment at the medical sites.

"PP11 marks another chapter in demonstrating the enduring commitment of the United States to the people of FSM," said U.S. Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia Peter A. Prahar. "The work that was done by more than 700 doctors, nurses, engineers, and veterinarians from the United States, along with partners from Malaysia, Australia, Japan, Canada, and Spain who are participating in Pacific Partnership 2011, has left an everlasting impact on every state of FSM."

Sponsored by the U.S. Pacific Fleet, PP11 is aimed at improving quality of life for the residents of FSM and all host nations while enhancing interoperability between host and partner nations' militaries and non-governmental organizations.

FSM has been a Pacific Partnership mission port three out of six years since the mission began in 2006, but this is the first time that the team has completed projects in all four states of FSM.

In addition to seeing 6,207 medical and dental patients, the medical contingent filled 5,820 prescriptions, gave out 4,229 pairs of glasses, and cared for 244 animals all at 11 medical, dental and veterinary civic action projects spanning across all four states of FSM.

The medical team also participated in multiple subject matter exchanges with local nurses and doctors sharing medical expertise and experiences that will improve the quality of healthcare throughout FSM.

"We were able to deploy our very diverse group of medical experts to every state in the country to maximize our efforts in providing aid to the people," said Cmdr. Michael Smith, director of medical operations for Pacific Partnership. "In this way, we are able to maximize our efforts to work with FSM and provide sustainable solutions to their health care needs."

The engineering team, comprised of U.S. Navy Seabees and Australian Sappers, completed six engineering projects including four major renovations of school facilities.

Service members also had the chance to continue interaction with the people of FSM through community service projects.

The men and women participating in PP11 engaged in 13 community service projects, nine of which were sporting events, and helped deliver 67 pallets of donated items, including toiletries, school supplies, toys and sporting equipment. Those items were provided by Project Handclasp and other charitable organizations.

This year, Pacific Partnership has completed its mission in Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and now FSM. Cleveland is currently headed toward Pearl Harbor for a scheduled port visit and the end of the 2011 mission.

During the past five years, Pacific Partnership has provided medical, dental, educational, and preventive medicine services to more than 241,000 people and completed more than 150 engineering projects in 15 countries.