NMCB 133 Actions, Training Save Timorese Lives

By Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Bryan Clarke, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 Public Affairs

DILI, Timor Leste (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 Seabees were the first responders to a motorbike accident while returning from a liberty outing in the Bobonaro District of Timor-Leste, July 24.

When Constructionman Juan Moreiravelez, Construction Electrician Apprentice Rodney Peters and Equipment Operator 3rd Class Jose Alemanacevedo set out for a relaxing trip to one of the many beautiful recreation spots that Timor-Leste has to offer, they had no idea that the return trip would provide an opportunity to save the lives of two Timorese men.

The accident occurred as two local nationals traveling on the winding mountain roads turned a sharp corner and lost control of their motorbike in the loose gravel.

"These same guys had said hello to us while we were stopped on the side of the beach eating lunch" said Moreiravelez. "They were probably about 25-30 minutes ahead of us on the road. When we saw what happened, I told our driver to stop. I knew we had to help."

At the accident scene, the three Seabees quickly sprang into action, assessed the situation and rendered appropriate care. Alemanacevedo used his T-shirt as a bandage and the three took turns keeping one of the victims awake on the trip to the local hospital.

"I didn't even think; I just reacted," he said. "I remembered first aid classes from [our] Field Training Exercise (FTX) and stuff I got during Convoy Security Element (CSE) training."

Moreiravelez said, "Some time after the incident we looked at each other and realized that we were covered in blood. That is when it started to sink in."

"I'm proud of these guys," said Lt. Kevin Westbrook, the detail's officer-in-charge. "Their training certainly paid off, but I feel it was character that made the difference. When faced with a decision, these guys did the right thing. I think a lot of people would have just driven by assuming help was on the way."

NMCB 133 is currently on a nine-month deployment throughout the U.S. Pacific Command area of operations. Seabees from NMCB 133's Detail Timor Leste play a key role in executing the Navy's Maritime Strategy by developing multi-national interoperability through joint execution of humanitarian and civic action construction projects on the island nation of Timor Leste.

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.

Pacific Partnership 2011 Departs Timor-Leste

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

DILI, Timor-Leste (NNS) -- The Pacific Partnership 2011(PP11) team departed Dili, Timor-Leste after completing the fourth phase of the mission, June 25.

Amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7), the flagship for PP11, conducted humanitarian assistance /disaster response (HA/DR) operations in Timor-Leste with civilian volunteers and military representatives from four of the U.S. service branches, as well as servicemembers from Australia, Canada, Spain, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste.

The multinational team engaged in community service, medical, dental, engineering, and veterinary civic action projects. Nearly 11,000 Timorese received treatment at the medical availabilities where host nation medical professionals worked alongside the PP11 team.

President Jose Ramos-Horta attended the departure reception aboard Cleveland, and offered his thanks to the PP11 team for their performance.

"We hope you will return to our country as soon as possible," he said.

The U.S. Pacific Fleet sponsored mission is aimed at improving quality of life for the residents of Timor-Leste and all host nations while enhancing interoperability between host and partner nations.

"Whether we are working together to help disaster victims, or building a prosperous Timor-Leste, the relationships built during Pacific Partnership are the foundation for a peaceful future," said Ambassador Judith R. Fergin, U.S. Ambassador to Timor-Leste.

Timor-Leste has been a Pacific Partnership mission port four out of six years since the mission began in 2006.

"Our repeat visits in Timor-Leste are having a long-lasting impact on the country," said U.S. Navy Capt. Jesse A. Wilson, mission commander of PP11 and Commander, Destroyer Squadron 23, during a talk he had with 150 students who attended a two-day training session provided by the PP11 medical contingent at Universidade de Paz. "Our mission in this part of the world continues to evolve, as we fine-tune our skills, improve interoperability with partner and host nations, engage in sustainable quality of life projects, and continue to build our relationship with countries in this region."

In addition to seeing nearly 11,000 medical and dental patients, the medical contingent filled 9,151 prescriptions, gave out 5,894 pairs of glasses, and cared for 284 animals all during 27 events at six different medical, dental and veterinary civic action projects spanning across eight of the thirteen districts in the island nation.

"We deployed a wide variety of medical experts working together to provide the best medical care possible for the Timorese people," said Cmdr. Michael Smith, director of medical operations for Pacific Partnership. "Personnel and resources were managed efficiently by our leadership; because of that, we were able to provide close to 11,000 people with medical care."

The engineering team, comprised of U.S. Navy Seabees and Australian Sappers, completed two engineering projects including refurbishing the "Gedung Serba Guna Matahari Terbit (GMT)" gym, which is part of the Olympic training center for the island nation.

The team of experts poured new concrete floors, sealed the roof, painted the entire structure, landscaped the exterior of the building, and remodeled the entire electrical system. They also provided Becora, Timor-Leste with a 10,000 liter water tank which will add much-needed increased water capacity to the local village.

"The repairs to the GMT gym will benefit the youth of Timor-Leste by providing them with a safe place for exercise and play," said Lt. Michael Sardone, officer in charge of civil engineering for Pacific Partnership 2011. "It also doubles as an evacuation center in the event of a natural disaster and was ineffective in that capacity until the recent refurbishment."

Multinational servicemembers also had the opportunity to interact with the people of Dili through charity, sports and community service projects, to include participation and support during the second annual Dili City of Peace marathon.

"Taking the time to come see the Timorese people in their element gives our team members an opportunity to see a different side of the people they're helping," said Lt. Phillip Ridley, PP11 Chaplain. "At community service projects, the host nationals aren't just patients who might need a specific treatment. These are people who deserve our care and compassion as human beings."

Pacific Partnership worked together with various charities, including Project Handclasp, the Navy's worldwide outreach program, to deliver more than 70 pallets of medical supplies, sports balls, school supplies, water filters, and personal hygiene items to the people of Timor-Leste.

"The donated items were made available by the generosity of the American people," Ridley said. "However, it was important to ensure that the donated items were things they could replenish on their own or maintain themselves."

By developing sustainable improvements in the quality of life with the Timorese, PP11 is able to enhance Timor-Leste's ability to operate as a partner in times of crisis.

Pacific Partnership is an annual humanitarian assistance initiative sponsored by the U.S. Pacific Fleet, aimed at improving interoperability between host and partner nations. This year, Pacific Partnership has completed its mission in Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste. It will continue on to the Federated States of Micronesia, the final mission port for PP11.

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.

PACOM Chief Promises Solid U.S. Support for New Timor-Leste Democracy

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

Sept. 19, 2007 - The commander of U.S. Pacific Command met here today with Timorese government and military leaders to praise strides they've made in building a new democracy, and he promised U.S. support to help them overcome challenges to that democracy. Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating met with Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta, Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, and Brig. Gen .Taur Matan Ruak, the country's chief of defense, during his first visit here since taking command of PACOM in March.

"I wanted to express to them our gratitude for the progress that is been made here for a new independent nation and to commit those resources we have that might help the president and prime minister and chief of defense move along in their important work," Keating told reporters after meeting with Gusmao.

By all accounts, Timor-Leste has faced serious challenges since breaking free of a brutal, 24-year Indonesian rule in 1999. It formally declared statehood three years later and has been struggling to build its new government ever since.

Progress has been hindered by a wide range of factors: weak institutions, political infighting, poor education, extreme poverty and violence. Gusmao called the Timorese government "fragile" and its 700-member military ill-prepared to provide the protection it needs or to confront smuggling, trafficking and other problems.

Long-simmering tensions led to widespread violence in April 2006 that sent some 155,000 people fleeing their homes. An estimated 28,000 Timorese remain displaced, living in more than two dozen refugee camps dotting Dili, the capital.

An International Stabilization Force, made up of Australian and New Zealand troops, has been deployed to Timor-Leste since May 2006 at the government's request. Australian Brigadier John Hutcheson, the joint task force commander, told Keating today the unit's mission is to "maintain a secure, stable environment for the East Timorese to get on peacefully and resolve their differences."

But more than a year after their arrival, Hutcheson told Keating that conditions in Timor-Leste "are still simmering" and that the country has "a long journey to go."

Despite the ISF presence, as well as that of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste, violence broke out again in August after no single candidate won a majority vote during national parliamentary elections, and Ramos-Horta appointed a coalition led by Gusmao to form a new government.

Today, Keating praised strides the Ramos-Horta and Gusmao government is making to advance democracy. "The challenges you have faced have been formidable," he said. "But through what you have done, you have created an opportunity for your fellow citizens to live in an independent country.

"We in Pacific Command appreciate that commitment," he said, promising additional U.S. assistance.

Keating said the United States recognizes the importance of sharing its resources with "the coalition of the willing" that shares the U.S. commitment to promoting democracy and creating stable conditions that discourage terrorist ambitions.

"We are intensely interested in cooperating. We are intensely interested in helping," Keating told the Timorese leaders. "We are as committed as you are to supporting freedom and democracy."

PACOM already provides support to the U.N. and ISF efforts in Timor-Leste through humanitarian assistance and training through the International Military Education and Training program. The command also provides strategic airlift to support Australia's ISF deployments.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Justice provides police training in Timor-Leste through its International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program.

Keating suggested that PACOM might be able to assist in additional areas, possibly through education, language training and additional humanitarian assistance.

But while promising as much help as possible, Keating conceded that there's a limit to what PACOM can do. He expressed hope that the United States' support for Timor-Leste will encourage other countries to step up to help.

Similarly, Keating said he hopes to move beyond bilateral U.S.-Timorese relations to multilateral relations that promote broader international cooperation.

Achieving Timor-Leste's goals will be "a long struggle that won't happen overnight," Keating said, but he expressed "reason for optimism."

Keating pointed to Ruak, who led the independence movement and now serves as the country's defense chief, as an example of what's possible in Timor-Leste. "It is a pleasure to meet someone who has contributed so successfully in such an important way to the independence of this country," the admiral said.

"There is a price for democracy," Ruak told Keating. "No democracy in the world (comes) without a price tag attached to it."