Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Ethan Lambert | LUGANVILLE, Vanuatu (Nov. 12, 2025) – Capt. Mark B. Stefanik, mission commander of...... read more read more
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LUGANVILLE, Vanuatu — Multinational service members from Pacific Partnership 2025 joined members of the Vanuatu Police Force for a friendly soccer match at the Luganville Soccer Stadium, Nov. 12.
The event brought together local residents, students, and members of the Vanuatu Police Force for an afternoon of sportsmanship and cultural exchange.
The Pacific Partnership Band also performed a selection of songs after the match, adding to the festive atmosphere and strengthening community connections through music.
“If I can describe this interaction in one word, it would be friendship,” said Silva Erick, coach of the Vanuatu Police Force team and officer with the Tactical Response Group. “It’s important for the young generation to see the presence of the United States and understand the value of working together across nations.”
Multilateral missions like Pacific Partnership are based on the shared goal of enhancing partnerships with allied nations and building mutual understanding. People-to-people relationships, forged over decades of joint exercises, exchanges, and collaborative response to real-world crises, illustrate the value we place in our allies and partners, and our enduring commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“Pacific Partnership is about building trust and resilience,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Mark Stefanik, mission commander for Pacific Partnership 2025. “Our biggest victory is that we are here on the field together, we strengthen friendships that make all of us more prepared and connected.”
Pacific Partnership, in its 21st iteration, is the U.S. Navy’s largest maritime humanitarian and civic assistance mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Each year, the mission team works alongside partners and allies to strengthen relationships, bolster host nation capacity to provide essential humanitarian services, and support efforts to reduce the risk of, prepare for, and respond to disasters.
| Date Taken: | 11.12.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.13.2025 00:33 |
| Story ID: | 550966 |
| Location: | VU |
| Web Views: | 28 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Pacific Partnership 2025 Strengthens Community Bonds Through Soccer Match in Vanuatu, by ENS Alexis VanBuren, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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