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By Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Valcarcel,
Pacific Partnership Public Affairs Office
NHA TRANG, Vietnam -- USNS Mercy, anchored off the coast of Nha Trang, kicked-off its Pacific Partnership visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, June 19.
An opening ceremony, held by the Khanh Hoa People's Committee, welcomed the ship and Mercy's official party on Nha Trang Pier. The event signaled the start of Mercy's second Southeast Asian stop during its Pacific Partnership 2008 deployment.
According to the U.S. Embassy Defense Attaché, Lt. Col. Robert Lucius, this marks the first time since 1975 a U.S. military humanitarian civic assistance mission has been permitted to perform surgeries. It also marks the first time a U.S. military band has been permitted to perform in Vietnam and the first time a foreign military vessel has been allowed to visit Nha Trang.
Pacific Partnership allows the United States to strengthen its partnerships with the armed forces of Vietnam, Vietnamese health care professionals and local government officials.
"In the weeks ahead we will host medical and dental clinics in communities. We will refurbish clinics and schools together, but most importantly our people will work side-by-side," said Capt. William A. Kearns, Pacific Partnership mission commander, during a speech given at the ceremony.
"And as we work side-by-side, we will build a new generation of friendships between our citizens. This is truly a multinational effort."
Pacific Partnership is a humanitarian civic assistance mission aimed at building international relationships with partner nations. The U.S. Navy, working together with Military Sealift Command, non-governmental organizations and partner nations, will continue to coordinate medical, dental, and engineering assistance to participating nations in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific.
"The basic objective of Pacific Partnership is to provide assistance to people in a number of countries, but it's also a good opportunity to build friendships and professional relationships between doctors, dentists and other specialists of the countries involved in the partnership and Vietnam," said Jon Aloisi, deputy chief of mission from the United States Embassy in Hanoi.
USNS Mercy is scheduled to visit Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and the Federated States of Micronesia following its mission in Vietnam.
| Date Taken: | 06.23.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.23.2008 18:24 |
| Story ID: | 20785 |
| Location: | NHA TRANG, VN |
| Web Views: | 497 |
| Downloads: | 487 |
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