PRC Vice Adm. tours Mercy during RIMPAC 2014

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Justin Galvin | Royal Canadian Navy Lt. Alan Ng, center, translates for Cmdr. Robert Durant, left, currently assigned to the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), as Vice Adm. Weilie Jiang, commander of the People’s Republic of China, People’s Liberation Army (Navy) South Sea Fleet tours Mercy during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2014. Twenty-two nations, 49 ships and six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from June 26 to Aug. 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2014 is the 24th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Justin W. Galvin/Released)  

PACIFIC OCEAN, USPACOM, AT SEA

07.15.2014

Courtesy Story

Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet           

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Pyoung K. Yi
USNS Mercy Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN – The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) hosted the Commander of People’s Republic of China, People’s Liberation Army (Navy) [PLA(N)] South Sea Fleet July 15 while the ship was underway for Rim of the Pacific’s (RIMPAC) 2014.

While aboard, Vice Adm. Weilie Jiang toured Mercy’s facilities including casualty receiving, the ship’s operating room complex, intensive care unit and the pilot house.

During the tour, Jiang stressed to Mercy’s hospital staff about the importance of exchanging ideas with PLA(N)’s hospital ship Ark Peace’s (T-AH 866) crew about medical practices and how to coordinate future humanitarian relief and disaster response efforts.

“I think Vice Admiral Jiang’s presence aboard Mercy sends a pretty strong signal that we’re committed to exchanging ideas and technological expertise, especially in the field of health care, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” said Capt. Michael Taylor, commander, Military Sealift Command Pacific. “Both Ark Peace and Mercy have similar missions and it’s very beneficial for us to share ideas and exchange thoughts.”

One of the main topics discussed during Vice Adm. Jiang’s tour aboard Mercy was the idea of exchanging knowledge between medical personnel aboard Mercy and Ark Peace.

"During the subject matter expert exchanges scheduled, there are areas in which we are well-versed and can pass on what we’ve learned." said Dr. Xiaodong Zhang, the infection control officer aboard Ark Peace. "On the flip side, there are subjects in which the Mercy’s crew are probably very knowledgeable, and we can learn what they have to share in those subjects. It’s important for us to cooperate and improve each other’s capabilities.”

Jiang expressed interest in Mercy’s capabilities during his tour of the hospital ship and exchanged command ball caps and command coins with Mercy’s mission commander and commanding officer.

RIMPAC 2014 is scheduled to have the largest medical presence in its 24-exercise history — with two hospital ships, symposiums, subject matter expert exchanges and over 20 medical exercise events. Twenty-two nations, 49 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from June 26 to Aug. 1, in and around the California Coast and the Hawaiian Islands.

• Date Taken: 07.15.2014
• Date Posted: 07.20.2014 16:01
• Story ID: 136644
• Location: PACIFIC OCEAN, USPACOM, AT SEA