USNS Mercy leaves after two weeks mission here

Military Sealift Command Hospital Ship, The USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) which landed in Honiara on the 29th of August, yesterday evening hosted onboard the closing ceremony of the Pacific Partnership 2022 (PP22).

The  PP22’s key focus areas includes medical care and exchange, engineering projects discussions on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and community outreach events, including band concerts and sporting events,

Giving her remarks on behalf of the USNS Mercy crew, Commander and Director of Surgical Services, Sara Gonzalez said that some of the highlights of accomplishments during their two weeks in Solomon Islands include, conducting more than 6,000 medical occasions, distribution of more than 1,000 pair of eye glasses, examining approximately 80 animals, performing more than 50 surgeries, providing more than 1,500 dental exams, delivering a three-day workshop on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and working on the renovation of  the National Referral Hospital.

“This robust collaboration of the last two weeks is a direct reflection of the spirit of Pacific Partnership’s mission, strengthening international ties throughout the region, encouraging multi-national cooperation and partnership”.

“In short, we are strengthening our growing friendship like the one we share with Solomon Islands”, said commander Gonzalez.

Now in it’s 17th year, the Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the region with a unifying mission that promotes the growth of enduring friendship and cooperation among many nations. This year’s mission in Solomon Islands includes participants from the United States, Japan and Australia.

Commander Gonzalez also said that through some of the PP22 activities which we’re conducted together with local Solomon Islanders will not only make them to know each other better but also it will have a lasting impact within the local communities.

“Additionally, this mission prepares us, for future events that may require humanitarian assistance”.

“We were fortunate to participate in a number of community events. We maximize our time here experiencing the wonderful culture and sharing some of ours”, said Commander Gonzalez.

Commander Gonzalez than said that whether exchanging knowledge through seminars and presentations, they are building lasting skills and relationships with through shoulder to shoulder care with their colleagues here in the Solomon Islands.

“We hope that the value of these engagements will last long beyond our departure”, she said.

News@SBMOnline2022