As the Federal Government, spearheaded by the Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, continues to mount an aggressive response – led by science – to the H1N1 outbreak, leaders continue to urge calm with caution while emphasizing personal responsibility for following basic preventive health steps.
From President Obama to the Surgeon General of the Army, a recurring theme is that preventive measures such as washing your hands, covering your mouth when you cough, and staying home from work or school when experiencing flu-like symptoms, while seemingly trivial, are key to staying healthy and helping prevent further spread of the virus.
U.S. Pacific Command continues to monitor this public health emergency very closely and encourages service members and their families to go about their normal daily routine while following public health messages, staying abreast of the news, and visiting websites such as the CDC’s for the latest and most accurate information.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Basic Mitigation Steps Key to Protection from Flu
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Preventive Measures Encouraged in Response to H1N1 Outbreak
As noted in Pacific Command’s April 28 news release on the topic, military medical professionals throughout the PACOM area of responsibility (AOR) are closely monitoring the current outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus and are encouraging service members and their families to exercise normal precautionary measures they use during the flu season.
These precautions include, staying at home when sick; covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; washing your hands regularly; avoiding touching your nose, mouth or eyes; and seeking medical care if you are ill.
A number of resources are available for timely, accurate information concerning the H1N1 influenza. They include:
Defenselink
Centers for Disease Control
World Health Organization
Department of Agriculture
Hawaii Department of Public Health
Hawaii State Civil Defense
PACOM is monitoring the health of the force to ensure we're taking the necessary precautions to educate and safeguard military and civilian personnel, as well as family members.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Multilateral Naval Exercise Brings India, Japan and U.S. Together at Sea
The Indian and U.S. navies will be joined by the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, for exercise Malabar beginning April 26.
As reported by The Hindu and U.S. 7th Fleet earlier this week, 10 ships and various aircraft will take part in the exercise that will include training in a variety of warfare areas as well as personnel exchanges and professional discussions.
Malabar has its roots as a bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Indian navies but has expanded in the past at the request of the Indian Navy – as it has this year – to include multinational participation.
Multilateral cooperation, fostered by exercises such as Malabar, is a U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) priority. Across the PACOM area of responsibility, this goal is advanced by a range of military engagements such as collaborative talks, professional development exchanges, and exercise programs.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Counter-piracy: Success in the Strait of Malacca
"It dawned on the states that piracy is transnational and nothing that could be handled by one nation alone. The sea doesn’t respect borders.”
Nazery Khalid, senior fellow at the Maritime Institute of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur
As noted in an April 22 Time article, acts of piracy in the Strait of Malacca have dramatically decreased since 2004, when Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore – and later Thailand – embarked on a coordinated effort to patrol the critical waterway that links major Asia-Pacific economies.
More than 50,000 vessels pass through the strait each year, carrying more than one-quarter of the world’s traded goods.
Only two or three piracy attempts – depending on the source – were reported in 2008 in the Strait of Malacca, down from 38 in 2004.
The commitment of the governments of the nations along the strait to address piracy is highlighted by a cooperative approach that includes coordinated patrols and information sharing.
U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) supports its friends and allies in this critical area by promoting information sharing, collective action, and capacity building through frequent maritime security exercises and funding technology initiatives. Contributing to the enhancement of our partners’ maritime security capabilities through such partnership remains a PACOM priority.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
U.S. Navy Ship Joins China’s International Fleet Review
USS Fitzgerald, part of the U.S. Navy’s Forward Deployed Naval Force operating from Japan, arrived for a port visit in Qingdao, China, Sunday, where it is joining 20 other vessels from 14 different countries in an international fleet review to recognize the 60th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.
U.S. Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead is the senior official representing the U.S. military at the event, which is also being attended by delegations from 29 other nations.
A Financial Times article published today highlighted Roughead’s discussions Sunday with his Chinese counterpart Vice Adm. Wu Shengli, during which the two talked about cooperative anti-piracy efforts in the Horn of Africa and other ways to enhance renewed military dialogue and cooperation between China and the U.S.
Ship visits offer an opportunity for the participating navies to interact and discuss issues of common concern, and are helpful in advancing military-to-military relationships.
U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) looks forward to resuming more robust military-to-military engagements with the Chinese military to build mutual trust and understanding.
As noted in Adm. Timothy Keating’s March testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, “Improving the interaction between USPACOM and China’s armed forces is critical to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and reassures our regional allies, partners and friends. While cautiously optimistic, we seek a mature, constructive relationship with our Chinese counterparts. Through cooperation and candor we aim to reduce the chances of miscalculation, increase mutual understanding, and encourage cooperation in areas of common
interest.”
Sunday, April 19, 2009
U.S., Filipino Teams Provide Medical Assistance
In the spirit of partnership, U.S. and Republic of the Philippines service members are working hand-in-hand throughout the island country to provide medical assistance to those in need.
An article from the Philippine Information Agency highlights the efforts of the nearly 40 U.S. and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) medical personnel who are scheduled to complete approximately 50 medical civic action projects (MEDCAPs) throughout Exercise Balikatan, which began April 16 and is scheduled to conclude April 30.
The benefits of the MEDCAPs are multi-faceted. Most visibly, sick and injured people who aren’t normally able to receive treatment have an opportunity to get assistance. These engagements also emphasize the enduring relationship between the U.S. and Philippines while providing an opportunity for the two to further strengthen ties.
Another important benefit of MEDCAPs is a better understanding of the armed forces by the people of the Philippines. MEDCAPs allow the service members to provide a presence in areas where they may not normally be seen. This presence, combined with the medical treatment they are providing, lets people know the military is there to help.
Partnership and presence are two pillars of the U.S. Pacific Command strategy. US forces forward and engaged with our partners such as with Exercise Balikatan provide increased opportunity to assist those in need while enhancing security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Exercise Balikatan Kicks Off in Republic of the Philippines
Approximately 8,000 U.S. and Republic of the Philippines service members kicked off Exercise Balikatan in Quezon City, Philippines, April 16. (Read the full story)
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the exercise that focuses on bilateral disaster relief and humanitarian assistance between the two countries.
During the exercise, units from throughout U.S. Pacific Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel, and subject-matter experts from various Philippine civil defense agencies will participate in three simultaneous events, supporting a more efficient effort during possible contingency operations.
The first event consist of multiple humanitarian and civic assistance engagements focused on providing medical, dental, veterinary, and engineering assistance. The second event is a scenario-based staff exercise to practice headquarters-level joint force management. The last event involves cross-training and field training exercises to support the “shoulder-to-shoulder” philosophy of Balikatan.
U.S. military engineers have been working with their AFP counterparts for the past several weeks as part of Balikatan, partnering in road construction projects, providing upgrades to water systems, and building additions at several schools.
Each of the exercise events enable the participating service members to get to know each other, train together, and provide assistance in communities where the need is greatest. They also improve the ability of the U.S. and Philippines to operate as one team on joint projects.
The strong relationship that exists between the U.S. military and AFP is built on cooperation and collaboration, and is continually strengthened through exchange programs, training and military exercises like Balikatan.
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