PACOM to Provide Military Assistance to Indonesia Relief Operations

U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) will provide military support to Indonesia’s ongoing relief effort on the island of Sumatra.

A 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck on Sept. 30, with the city of Padang and surrounding area, near the quake’s epicenter, experiencing widespread damage.

The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta has responded to the Indonesian President’s statement allowing friendly nations to provide earthquake assistance. Because of the forward deployed presence of the U.S. military and past military-to-military interactions with the Indonesian military, the U.S. is poised to help as much as possible.

PACOM has military capabilities positioned in the region that are ready to support emergency relief efforts and minimize human suffering. U.S. military assets include a Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team (HAST) composed of personnel from various units within PACOM, an Air Force Humanitarian Assistance Rapid Response Team (HARRT), and the USS Denver with Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked.

As is typical in international relief operations, U.S. military efforts are in support of the U.S. State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance.

PACOM will continue to work closely with the Indonesian Government, the U.S. Embassy, and international relief organizations of Indonesia on humanitarian assistance operations at the request and invitation of the Indonesian Government.

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Civil Engineers Improve Ties, Infrastructure in Timor-Leste

U.S. Navy civil engineers completed two projects at schools in Dili, Timor-Leste on June 19 as part of an ongoing initiative to support the Timor-Leste government’s efforts to improve infrastructure and quality of life for the Timorese.

“Seabees” of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 40 have been working with local government officials, the U.S. Embassy and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) since February 2009 to identify priority education and health care infrastructure projects that their skill sets can best support.

According to a Navy news story, the recently completed projects included renovation of the electrical system and construction of a 25-square foot pump house that feeds a well water tank servicing school children and their families in the area of an intermediate school. Additionally, a water storage unit was installed, and an existing pump house repaired at a primary school. Both projects were funded by U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) through the Humanitarian Assistance program.

At the request of the Timor-Leste Government, an advance team of eight Seabees arrived in Dili in February to conduct coordination, and since April, more than 20 Seabees have been working at multiple sites and on multiple initiatives, including fostering military-to-military relationships and training opportunities with counterparts in the Timor Leste Defence Force.

As noted on the U.S. Embassy’s website, President José Ramos-Horta visited the Seabees in late May for a first-hand look at the work they are doing, and to thank them for their efforts.

The Seabees’ presence in Timor Leste – which will continue throughout the year – supports PACOM’s goal of contributing capabilities, where possible, toward a whole-of-government approach that addresses shared concerns and needs, while cultivating military-to-military relationships and capacity building, resulting in projects that directly benefit the local populace.

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Vietnam Military Delegation Visits Hawaii, Explores Response Capabilities

A delegation of military officers from Vietnam is visiting Hawaii this week to observe hurricane exercise Makani Pahili 2009, receive briefings, and witness demonstrations associated with search and rescue (SAR) and disaster management capabilities of the U.S. military, Hawaii National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard.

The delegation, led by Lt. Gen. Tran Quang Khue, standing vice chairman of the Vietnam National Search and Rescue Committee, arrived in Hawaii June 1 and its itinerary includes discussions with U.S. military officials from Pacific Command (PACOM), senior leaders from PACOM’s service component commands, the Hawaii National Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as visits to various military facilities.

Lt. Gen. Khue and his delegation were received at the PACOM headquarters June 2 with a military honors ceremony – headed by Adm. Timothy Keating, PACOM’s commander – that included the playing of the Vietnam and U.S. national anthems by the Pacific Fleet Band.

SAR and disaster management operations, which includes humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, presents an opportunity for military forces from nations throughout the region to assist one another in support of civil authorities, when needed.

PACOM is continually exploring opportunities to strengthen and expand the U.S. military-to-military relationship with the armed forces of Vietnam, which includes occasional port visits by U.S. Navy ships, joint professional exchanges and visits, and mutual participation in multinational exercises and training events.

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Disaster Relief Exercise Enhances Cooperative Relationships

Civilians and military personnel from the Republic of the Philippines, Papua-New Guinea, Australia and the U.S teamed up for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum Voluntary Demonstration of Response on Disaster Relief (ARF-VDR DR) from May 4-8.

This was the first field exercise for the forum, and it aimed to enhance cooperative relationships, test response processes for disaster relief and improve critical infrastructure. The location was chosen due to the large amount of residents who were displaced by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. Because of their location and distance from major cities, regular health care is not easily accessible.

The exercise included the setting up temporary medical facilities and building schoolrooms and bridges to allow disaster officials to practice damage assessment.

Along with the medical projects, the field exercise involved engineering projects like reconstructing buildings and building covered walkways for local elementary schools. There were also demonstrations of air, land and maritime capabilities.

The ARF-VDR is an activity designed to prepare international civilian humanitarian assistance and military teams to work together in the event of a natural disaster or other crises that impact the health and safety of the population. The four-day exercise enhances the ability of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum to develop tangible outcomes for disaster relief and transnational security cooperation.

As part of its overall strategy of partnership, readiness and presence, U.S. Pacific Command further supports regional and professional exchanges like ARF-VDR on DR that contribute to capacity building and collaboration.

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Air Force prepares for Micronesia goodwill mission

This is a nice story about a mission that's been going on for more than 50 years, called Operation Chrismas Drop. Originating from Guam, but supported by other Pacific Air Forces units from off the island, it brings donations to the islands of Micronesia.

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