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Asia-Pacific

USNS Mercy in Papua New Guinea for humanitarian mission

Stars and Stripes •
Navy surgeons remove an object from a villager's throat in an operating room Sunday aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy during Pacific Partnership 2015, in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. While training for crisis conditions, Pacific Partnership missions to date have provided medical care to approximately 270,000 patients and veterinary services to more than 38,000 animals. They also have provided critical infrastructure development to host nations through the completion of more than 180 engineering projects.

Navy surgeons remove an object from a villager's throat in an operating room Sunday aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy during Pacific Partnership 2015, in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. While training for crisis conditions, Pacific Partnership missions to date have provided medical care to approximately 270,000 patients and veterinary services to more than 38,000 animals. They also have provided critical infrastructure development to host nations through the completion of more than 180 engineering projects. (William McCann)

Navy surgeons remove an object from a villager's throat in an operating room Sunday aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy during Pacific Partnership 2015, in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. While training for crisis conditions, Pacific Partnership missions to date have provided medical care to approximately 270,000 patients and veterinary services to more than 38,000 animals. They also have provided critical infrastructure development to host nations through the completion of more than 180 engineering projects.

Navy surgeons remove an object from a villager's throat in an operating room Sunday aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy during Pacific Partnership 2015, in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. While training for crisis conditions, Pacific Partnership missions to date have provided medical care to approximately 270,000 patients and veterinary services to more than 38,000 animals. They also have provided critical infrastructure development to host nations through the completion of more than 180 engineering projects. (William McCann)

Hospital ship USNS Mercy receives supplies at sea while underway to Papua New Guinea Friday for Pacific Partnership 2015 missions. Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Hospital ship USNS Mercy receives supplies at sea while underway to Papua New Guinea Friday for Pacific Partnership 2015 missions. Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (Peter Reft/U.S. Air Force)

Villagers receive instructions from Hospital Corpsman Kyle Hansen before boarding hospital ship USNS Mercy during Pacific Partnership 2015 in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. During its seven days in Arawa, Mercy’s crew will provide medical and dental services, help make improvements to community school buildings, and host engagements focusing on women’s health and violence prevention.

Villagers receive instructions from Hospital Corpsman Kyle Hansen before boarding hospital ship USNS Mercy during Pacific Partnership 2015 in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. During its seven days in Arawa, Mercy’s crew will provide medical and dental services, help make improvements to community school buildings, and host engagements focusing on women’s health and violence prevention. (William McCann)

Cmdr. Michelle Arnold performs an evaluation at a surgical screening Sunday during Pacific Partnership 2015 in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. While training for crisis conditions, Pacific Partnership missions to date have provided medical care to approximately 270,000 patients and veterinary services to more than 38,000 animals. They also have provided critical infrastructure development to host nations through the completion of more than 180 engineering projects.

Cmdr. Michelle Arnold performs an evaluation at a surgical screening Sunday during Pacific Partnership 2015 in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. While training for crisis conditions, Pacific Partnership missions to date have provided medical care to approximately 270,000 patients and veterinary services to more than 38,000 animals. They also have provided critical infrastructure development to host nations through the completion of more than 180 engineering projects. (Mayra A. Conde)

Capt. Thomas Giudice, master of hospital ship USNS Mercy, watches as USNS Washington Chambers transfers fuel during a replenishment at sea Friday during Pacific Partnership 2015. Mercy received dry goods, frozen and fresh foods, medical supplies and 12,000 barrels of fuel.

Capt. Thomas Giudice, master of hospital ship USNS Mercy, watches as USNS Washington Chambers transfers fuel during a replenishment at sea Friday during Pacific Partnership 2015. Mercy received dry goods, frozen and fresh foods, medical supplies and 12,000 barrels of fuel. (Peter Reft/U.S. Air Force)

Naval Aircrewman 2nd Class Tedd Allen of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21 looks out the window of an MH-60S Seahawk as he flies a mission from the hospital ship USNS Mercy on Friday in support of Pacific Partnership 2015. Mercy is in Papua New Guinea for its second mission port of Pacific Partnership, the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Naval Aircrewman 2nd Class Tedd Allen of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21 looks out the window of an MH-60S Seahawk as he flies a mission from the hospital ship USNS Mercy on Friday in support of Pacific Partnership 2015. Mercy is in Papua New Guinea for its second mission port of Pacific Partnership, the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (Christopher E. Tucker/U.S. Navy)

Hospital ship USNS Mercy sits at anchored Saturday off the coast of Arawa, Papua New Guinea. Mercy is there for its second mission port of Pacific Partnership 2015. While training for crisis conditions, Pacific Partnership missions to date have provided real world medical care to approximately 270,000 patients and veterinary services to more than 38,000 animals. Additionally, the mission has provided official infrastructure development to host nations through more than 180 engineering projects.

Hospital ship USNS Mercy sits at anchored Saturday off the coast of Arawa, Papua New Guinea. Mercy is there for its second mission port of Pacific Partnership 2015. While training for crisis conditions, Pacific Partnership missions to date have provided real world medical care to approximately 270,000 patients and veterinary services to more than 38,000 animals. Additionally, the mission has provided official infrastructure development to host nations through more than 180 engineering projects. (Christopher E. Tucker/U.S. Navy)

Capt. Melanie Merrick, commanding officer of the hospital aboard USNS Mercy, greets members of the local media on board the ship after arriving Saturday for Pacific Partnership 2015 missions. Mercy, carrying 900 personnel from the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Timor Leste, is scheduled to be in Arawa through July 3 and then move on to Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. The ship, which has already completed a visit to Fiji, will also make stops in the Philippines and Vietnam.

Capt. Melanie Merrick, commanding officer of the hospital aboard USNS Mercy, greets members of the local media on board the ship after arriving Saturday for Pacific Partnership 2015 missions. Mercy, carrying 900 personnel from the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Timor Leste, is scheduled to be in Arawa through July 3 and then move on to Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. The ship, which has already completed a visit to Fiji, will also make stops in the Philippines and Vietnam. (Peter Reft/U.S. Air Force)

Lt. Cmdr. Todd Mondzelewski performs an eye exam at a surgical screening Sunday during Pacific Partnership 2015 in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. While training for crisis conditions, Pacific Partnership missions to date have provided medical care to approximately 270,000 patients and veterinary services to more than 38,000 animals. They also have provided critical infrastructure development to host nations through the completion of more than 180 engineering projects.

Lt. Cmdr. Todd Mondzelewski performs an eye exam at a surgical screening Sunday during Pacific Partnership 2015 in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. While training for crisis conditions, Pacific Partnership missions to date have provided medical care to approximately 270,000 patients and veterinary services to more than 38,000 animals. They also have provided critical infrastructure development to host nations through the completion of more than 180 engineering projects. (Mayra A. Conde/U.S. Navy)

Hospital Corpsman Brandon Butler takes a patient’s vital signs Sunday at a surgical screening during Pacific Partnership 2015 in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. While training for crisis conditions, Pacific Partnership missions to date have provided medical care to approximately 270,000 patients and veterinary services to more than 38,000 animals. They also have provided critical infrastructure development to host nations through the completion of more than 180 engineering projects.

Hospital Corpsman Brandon Butler takes a patient’s vital signs Sunday at a surgical screening during Pacific Partnership 2015 in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. While training for crisis conditions, Pacific Partnership missions to date have provided medical care to approximately 270,000 patients and veterinary services to more than 38,000 animals. They also have provided critical infrastructure development to host nations through the completion of more than 180 engineering projects. (Mayra A. Conde/U.S. Navy)

Musician 1st Class Brandon Barbee and a Papua New Guinea children watch a woodwind quintet perform Sunday during Pacific Partnership 2015. During its seven days in Arawa, Mercy's crew will provide medical and dental services, help make improvements to community school buildings, and host engagements focusing on women's health and violence prevention.

Musician 1st Class Brandon Barbee and a Papua New Guinea children watch a woodwind quintet perform Sunday during Pacific Partnership 2015. During its seven days in Arawa, Mercy's crew will provide medical and dental services, help make improvements to community school buildings, and host engagements focusing on women's health and violence prevention. (Mark El-Rayes/U.S. Navy)

Command Master Chief Petty Officer Dedrick Walker dances with children Sunday during Pacific Partnership 2015 in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. During its seven days in Arawa, Mercy's crew will provide medical and dental services, help make improvements to community school buildings, and host engagements focusing on women's health and violence prevention.

Command Master Chief Petty Officer Dedrick Walker dances with children Sunday during Pacific Partnership 2015 in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. During its seven days in Arawa, Mercy's crew will provide medical and dental services, help make improvements to community school buildings, and host engagements focusing on women's health and violence prevention. (Mark El-Rayes/U.S. Navy)

Musician 3rd Class Steve Lamonica interacts with a crowd while performing Sunday during Pacific Partnership 2015 in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. During its seven days in Arawa, Mercy's crew will provide medical and dental services, help make improvements to community school buildings, and host engagements focusing on women's health and violence prevention.

Musician 3rd Class Steve Lamonica interacts with a crowd while performing Sunday during Pacific Partnership 2015 in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. During its seven days in Arawa, Mercy's crew will provide medical and dental services, help make improvements to community school buildings, and host engagements focusing on women's health and violence prevention. (Mark El-Rayes/U.S. Navy)

Children dance with servicemembers from hospital ship USNS Mercy on Sunday during Pacific Partnership 2015 in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. Mercy is being supported by USNS Millinocket -- part of the U.S. Military Sealift Command -- which arrived last week in Micronesia for a two-week mission.

Children dance with servicemembers from hospital ship USNS Mercy on Sunday during Pacific Partnership 2015 in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. Mercy is being supported by USNS Millinocket -- part of the U.S. Military Sealift Command -- which arrived last week in Micronesia for a two-week mission. (Mark El-Rayes/U.S. Navy)

Master-at-Arms Chief Rodrigo Celones dances with a Papua New Guinea girl Sunday during Pacific Partnership 2015 in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. Mercy, carrying 900 personnel from the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Timor Leste, is scheduled to be in Arawa through July 3 and then move on to Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. The ship, which has already completed a visit to Fiji, will also make stops in the Philippines and Vietnam.

Master-at-Arms Chief Rodrigo Celones dances with a Papua New Guinea girl Sunday during Pacific Partnership 2015 in Arawa, Papua New Guinea. Mercy, carrying 900 personnel from the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Timor Leste, is scheduled to be in Arawa through July 3 and then move on to Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. The ship, which has already completed a visit to Fiji, will also make stops in the Philippines and Vietnam. (Mark El-Rayes/U.S. Navy)

The hospital ship USNS Mercy arrived Saturday in Arawa, Papua New Guinea, for the second leg of its mission for Pacific Partnership, a humanitarian and civic-assistance deployment that also aims to strengthen relationships in the region.

During its seven days in Arawa, the Mercy’s crew will provide medical and dental services, make improvements to community school buildings, and host engagements focusing on women’s health and violence prevention.

The Mercy, carrying 900 personnel from the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and East Timor, is scheduled to be in Arawa through July 3 and then move on to Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. The ship, which has already completed a visit to Fiji, will also make stops in the Philippines and Vietnam.

The hospital ship is being supported by USNS Millinocket — part of the U.S. Military Sealift Command — which arrived last week in Micronesia for a two-week mission.

Now in its 10th year, Pacific Partnership has provided medical care to approximately 270,000 people and veterinary services to more than 38,000 animals, according to a Navy statement. More than 180 infrastructure development projects have been completed during the missions, the statement said.

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