PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP
21 July 2009
HMA Ships BETANO and WEWAK
Two Landing Craft Heavy HMA Ships BETANO and WEWAK have saved the day enabling the delivery of vital medical, dental, engineering and veterinary aid to Tonga and the Solomon Islands as part of Humanitarian Mission PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2009. The Landing Craft are providing essential ship to shore logistics, supporting outreach medical projects in remote islands in Tonga and leading community relations activities visiting local school children.
PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP is an annual US sponsored training and readiness mission, which works through, with and by a diverse range of Militaries, Governments and non-government organisations to further develop interoperability to deliver aid and disaster relief to the Pacific region.
The Australian Defence Force contribution to the 2009 mission includes 24 Australian Army Engineers, one Royal Australian Air Force Dental Hygienist and two Royal Australian Air Force Cooks, two Royal Australian Navy Landing Craft Heavy, a Royal Australian Navy Medical Officer and a Royal Australian Navy Civil Military Cooperation Officer.
The Australian Defence Force contingent is dedicated to working with the US, Pacific host nations and other mission partners to deliver aid to their regional neighbours.
The Pacific Partnership mission is being held from 30 June – 18 September 2009 and has visited Samoa, is currently in Tonga and will visit the Solomon Islands and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The mission is working in Tonga from 13 – 26 July 2009.
| 20090714adf_rago_1824 Royal Australian Navy Sub-Lieutenant Ryan Fisher from HMAS WEWAK dances with local school children in Tonga during a community relations visit as part of Humanitarian Civic Assistance mission PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2009. (Date taken: 17 July 2009) low res | high res |
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| 20090714adf_rago_2343 Royal Australian Navy Landing Craft HMAS BETANO arrives in Pangai Harbour, Tonga to provide essential support to Humanitarian Civic Assistance Mission PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2009. BETANO and crew are supporting the mission by transporting a multinational team of health professionals to remote islands in Tonga and lending a helping hand wherever they can. (Date taken: 17 July 2009) low res | high res |
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| 20090714adf_rago_2349 Royal Australian Navy Landing Craft Heavy HMAS WEWAK provides essential ship to shore logistics with US Merchant Navy vessel USNS RICHARD.E.BYRD as part of Humanitarian Civic Assistance mission PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2009. (Date taken: 17 July 2009) low res | high res |
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| 20090714adf_rago_2357 Australian Army Sapper Josh Saye sands a community centre on a construction site in Tonga as part of US sponsored Humanitarian Civic Assistance Mission PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2009. (Date taken: 17 July 2009) low res | high res |
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| 20090715adf_rago_2318 Royal Australian Navy crew from Landing Craft Heavy HMAS WEWAK help out at a construction site at a hospital in Tonga as part of US sponsored Humanitarian Civic Assistance Mission PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2009. (Date taken: 17 July 2009) low res | high res |
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| 20090715adf_rago_2381 Royal Australian Navy crew from Landing Craft Heavy HMAS WEWAK help out at a construction site at a hospital in Tonga as part of US sponsored Humanitarian Civic Assistance Mission PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2009. (Date taken: 17 July 2009) low res | high res |
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| 20090715adf_rago_381 Australian Army Sapper Jarrod Foster works alongside US Navy engineers “SEABEES” and local Tongans on a construction site as part of US sponsored Humanitarian Civic Assistance Mission PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2009. (Date taken: 17 July 2009) low res | high res |
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| 20090715adf_rago_430 Australian Army Sappers Aaron Maxfield and Mitchell Ratten work alongside US Navy engineers “SEABEES” and local Tongans on a construction site as part of US sponsored Humanitarian Civic Assistance Mission PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2009. (Date taken: 17 July 2009) low res | high res |
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| 20090716adf_rago_2397 Locals assist Australian Army and US Navy engineers “SEABEES” on a construction site in Tonga as part of Humanitarian Civic Assistance Mission PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2009. (Date taken: 17 July 2009) low res | high res |
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| 20090717adf_rago_23411 Royal Australian Navy crew from Landing Craft Heavy HMAS WEWAK help out at a construction site at a hospital in Tonga as part of US sponsored Humanitarian Civic Assistance Mission PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2009. (Date taken: 17 July 2009) low res | high res |
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| 20090717adr_rago_2337 Chief Petty Officer Craig Daley from HMAS WEWAK poses with a local helper and newfound friend whilst helping out at a construction site at a hospital in Tonga as part of US sponsored Humanitarian Civic Assistance Mission PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2009. (Date taken: 17 July 2009) low res | high res |
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