Operation PACANGEL 15-4 begins in Papua New Guinea

Release Number: 150601

6/3/2015 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii  -- The United States and Papua New Guinea will conduct humanitarian assistance operations from June 1 through 6 as part of Operation Pacific Angel 2015. During this exercise, U.S. and Papua New Guinea service members will work together, in partnership with local nongovernmental organizations, to provide humanitarian assistance to the residents of Goroko.

Operation PACANGEL is a joint and combined humanitarian assistance operation. Led by Pacific Air Forces, the exercise enhances participating nations' humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities while providing needed services to Southeast Asian citizens. PACANGEL 15 includes general health, dental, optometry, pediatrics, and engineering programs, as well as expert exchanges.

Approximately 65 members of the U.S. military, in partnership with local non-governmental organizations and host nation military forces, will conduct humanitarian assistance operations in the following locations: Taglibaran, Philippines; Dili, Baucau and Com, Timor-Leste; Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam; and Goroko, Papua New Guinea.

Now entering its eighth year, PACANGEL ensures that the region's militaries are prepared to work together to address humanitarian crises. Since 2007, PACANGEL operations have improved the lives of tens of thousands of people.