Defence military and civilian personnel have joined Pacific Partnership 2024, and are deploying to four countries across the Indo-Pacific region from July to September. The United States-led Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission in the Indo-Pacific region.
Defence personnel have supported partnered activities in Vanuatu and will support further activities in Vietnam, the Philippines and Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia. During Pacific Partnership, approximately 20 Australian Defence Force and civilian personnel are providing medical, dental and engineering support as well as expertise in Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR).
Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones said Pacific Partnership 2024 was a long-standing commitment by Australia to the region. “The ADF is proud to support this annual activity, which followed the multinational HADR response to the Banda Aceh tsunami of 2004,” Vice Admiral Jones said. “This year, an Australian officer is serving as the Deputy Commander and ADF personnel will take part in medical workshops in South East Asia and the Federated States of Micronesia. Pacific Partnership enables us to enhance cooperation and interoperability with regional partners, improve regional crisis responses, and aid local communities.”
Australian support to Pacific Partnership 2024 began in Vanuatu on 18 July with a Humanitarian and Disaster Relief workshop supported by the Australian Civil-Military Centre. Pacific Partnership is now in its 20th iteration.
Chief of Defence Force visits Fiji and Vanuatu
Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston AC RAN travelled to Fiji and Vanuatu from 26 to 29 July. The visit marked the first international trip for Admiral Johnston as Chief of the Defence Force, emphasising the importance that Defence places on its relationships with Pacific partners.
“I am proud to be visiting two of our key Pacific partners for my first overseas visit as Chief of the Defence Force,” Admiral Johnston said. “I look forward to engaging with leaders in Fiji and Vanuatu to discuss our strong bilateral relationships and deepen our cooperation.”
In Fiji, Admiral Johnston will formally hand over 14 Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles purchased by the Government of Fiji, which were delivered by HMAS Choules in June. “Australian Bushmasters provide world-class protection and adaptability. They will support the development of Fiji’s peacekeeping capabilities, and demonstrate our commitment to closer ties under the enhanced Vuvale partnership,” Admiral Johnston said.
While in Vanuatu, Admiral Johnston will attend the commissioning ceremony of
RVS Sokomanu, Vanuatu’s new landing craft. The delivery of this vessel reinforces Australia’s commitment to partnering with Vanuatu to enhance its sovereign humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capability. “Australia and Vanuatu’s bilateral relationship is founded on our shared values and vision for a secure and prosperous Blue Pacific,” Admiral Johnston said. “We recognise the impact of natural disasters across the Pacific and are committed to working with Pacific partners to respond when disasters occur, build disaster resilience and support communities to recover. Australia continues to work with Pacific partners to maintain a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.”
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