Pacific Partnership 2022, the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission, has officially concluded in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Australia’s participation in the Pacific Partnership is part of its long-standing engagement with the Philippines and the region in security cooperation and humanitarian assistance.

A contingent of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel were integrated into multinational teams providing specialised support in the areas of medical and dental care, as well as gender, peace, and security.

Over the past three weeks ADF medical personnel provided a range of specialised medical services to the local community in Palawan such as dentistry, optometry, gynaecology, cryotherapy, and first aid education. This included treating 2,067 patients, delivering first aid training to 600 individuals, and conducting over 400 dental procedures.

Australia’s lead health planner Major Jane Barnes said “Our interoperability with Pacific Partners has been enhanced by this activity because we have been able to physically work side-by-side and actually see processes and procedures happening real-time.”

ADF Band members also participated in over 30 performances while the Gender, Peace and Security team provided a series of presentations and supported multiple community engagement activities across the area.

Australian Contingent Commander Major Andy Carroll Keays stated “We worked closely with our partners and the local community, and I am immensely proud of our contribution to what has been a truly rewarding Pacific Partnership mission stop here in the Philippines.”

Through Pacific Partnership, Australia reinforces its commitment to enhancing security cooperation and fostering enduring partnerships, trust, and interoperability in the region.

Australia has begun its joint participation in the Philippines for Pacific Partnership 2022.

Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific region, with Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel joining Philippine and United States-partners to provide specialist support to the mission.

Approximately 15 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel will be involved in the mission, with a team of medical specialists arriving in Philippines to join ADF Gender, Peace and Security Advisors and Royal Australian Navy musicians already on-board United States Military Sealift Command hospital ship, USNS Mercy.

During the two week visit to the Philippines, the ADF contingent will provide tailored medical, dental and surgical support, guidance on Gender, Peace and Security considerations for operations and participate in a variety of training opportunities and information exchanges.

Deputy Chief of Joint Operations, Air Vice-Marshal Michael Kitcher, AM, DSM, said the ADF’s support to Pacific Partnership 2022 is about enhancing resilience and preparedness in the Indo-Pacific region.

“ADF participation in Pacific Partnership 2022 demonstrates our commitment to fostering enduring partnerships, trust and interoperability between nations in our region,” Air Vice-Marshal Kitcher said.

“COVID-19 restrictions meant we haven’t been able to fully participate in the program since 2019, so it’s a great opportunity to once again work closely with partner and host nations, learning from one another and building capacity within the region.

“This is an important opportunity to enhance our interoperability with other nations and demonstrate that we remain ready to respond, with our partners, if and when our regional neighbours need our help.”

Now in its 17th year, Pacific Partnership is aimed at promoting multilateral disaster management resilience in host countries and strengthening alliances.