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PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP

09 June 2010
PP10 ADF Medical personnel

ADF medical staff will work with U.S. military, partner nations and non-government organisations to conduct a range of surgeries onboard USNS Mercy in each host nation visited during Pacific Partnership 2010. The medical facilities onboard USNS Mercy include operating theatres, diagnostic x-ray and ultrasound equipment, pharmacy, dental suite, lens laboratory and a blood bank.

Australia is participating in the annual US-led humanitarian assistance mission. Twenty two ADF personnel have joined USNS Mercy as the first of three separate Australian contingents to rotate through the region over the next three months.

The PP10 mission marks the fifth year of Australian support, and will provide engineering and medical assistance in Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea.

Aimed at strengthening international relationships and interoperability for disaster relief throughout South East Asia and Oceania, ADF personnel will be based out of USNS Mercy in Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and East Timor. Additionally, RAN assets HMA Ships Labuan and Brunei will provide assistance with ship to shore movements in some countries.
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Lieutenant Dierdre Smith, Nursing Officer from the Royal Australian Navy prepares instruments for surgery in one of 17 operating theatres onboard United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy, whilst visiting Quy Nhon, Vietnam for Pacific Partnership 2010.

(Date taken: 06 June 2010)
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Lieutenant Dierdre Smith, Nursing Officer from the Royal Australian Navy prepares instruments for surgery in one of 17 operating theatres on United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy, whilst visitng Quy Nhon, Vietnam as part of Pacific Partnership 2010.

(Date taken: 06 June 2010)
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HC3 Carlos Salas (left) and Lieutenant Dierdre Smith, Nursing Officer from the Royal Australian Navy prepare medication for a 10 month old boy in the United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy's operating theatre.

(Date taken: 06 June 2010)
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Medical personnel in United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy's operating theatre conduct cleft lip and cleft palate surgery to a 10 month from the Quy Nhon province, Vietnam as part of Pacific Partnership 2010.

(Date taken: 06 June 2010)
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Captain Alan Lim, United States Army Surgeon (left) with HC3 Carlos Santas as his scrub assistant, conducting cleft lip and cleft palate surgery on a 10 month old boy on board United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy's operating theatre off the coast of Quy Nhon, Vietnam as part of Pacific Partnership 2010.

(Date taken: 06 June 2010)
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HC3 Carlos Santas (left) scrubs in for Captain Alan Lim (Surgeon right) whilst conducting cleft lip and palate surgery to a 10 month old boy in the United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy's operating theatre off the coast of Quy Nhon, Vietnam during Pacific Partnership 2010.

(Date taken: 06 June 2010)
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HC3 Carlos Santas (left) scrubs in for Captain Alan Lim (Surgeon right) whilst conducting cleft lip and cleft palate surgery to a 10 month old boy in the United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy's operating theatre off the coast of Quy Nhon, Vietnam.

(Date taken: 06 June 2010)
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Lieutenant Dierdre Smith, Nursing Officer from the Royal Australian Navy briefs Vietnamese Nurses from the Binh Dinh District Hospital during a subject matter expert exchange in the operating theatre of United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy as part of Pacific Partnership 2010.

(Date taken: 06 June 2010)
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Captain Alan Lim from the United States Army conducts cleft lip and cleft palate surgery to a 10 month old boy in the United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy's operating theatre off the coast of Quy Nhon, Vietnam.

(Date taken: 06 June 2010)
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A10 month old boy resting soundly, after successful cleft lip and palate surgery on United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy's operating theatre off the coast of Quy Nhon, Vietnam.

(Date taken: 06 June 2010)
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A 10 month old boy resting soundly, after successful cleft lip and palate surgery on United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy's operating theatre off the coast of Quy Nhon, Vietnam.

(Date taken: 06 June 2010)
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Lieutenant Rebecca Pollkehn completes post operative observations in the recovery ward of United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy whilst Surgeon, Doctor Steven Dahl holds the hand of patient 37 year old Huyn Buhn from Quy Nhon, Vietnam.

(Date taken: 06 June 2010)
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Lieutenant Rebecca Pollkehn completes post operative observations in the recovery ward of United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy whilst 37 year old patient Huyn Buhn rests in the background.

(Date taken: 06 June 2010)
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Lieutenant Rebecca Pollkehn reassures 37 year old patient Huyn Buhn in the recovery ward of United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy, following her surgery.

(Date taken: 06 June 2010)
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The language barrier does not stop Squadron Leader Toni Murry, RAAF Nursing Officer, greeting a Vietnamese patient in the recovery ward onboard United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy during Pacific Partnership 2010.

(Date taken: 06 June 2010)
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Squadron Leader Toni Murry, RAAF Nursing Officer checks vital signs of a Vietnamese patient in the recovery ward onboard United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy.

(Date taken: 06 June 2010)
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Specialist Lorien Rilat, United States Army assists Squadron Leader Toni Murry to distribute hygiene kits onboard United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy to a newly admitted patient during Pacific Partnership 2010.

(Date taken: 06 June 2010)
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Squadron Leader Toni Murry, RAAF Nursing Officer in the recovery ward onboard United States Naval Ship (USNS) Mercy during Pacific Partnership 2010.

(Date taken: 06 June 2010)
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