U.S. Embassy News Release

June 4, 2007

 

U.S. Navy Ship Visiting Philippines to Conduct Community Projects:

Engineering, Humanitarian, and Medical Programs Planned

 

 

 

A U.S. Navy ship will visit the Philippines this month as part of a multi-country goodwill mission called “Pacific Partnership.” In conjunction with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the USS Peleliu (LHA 5) will deliver donated goods such as clothes, toys, food, and medical supplies; provide free health clinics for citizens in poor or remote communities; and conduct engineering projects to construct and improve schools and public buildings.

Pacific Partnership is a unique humanitarian mission that brings together U.S. Military personnel not only with host nation military medical personnel, but also with medical and engineering specialists from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), private charitable groups, and third-country military medical personnel.  These military and civilian volunteers will offer humanitarian-assistance programs ashore and afloat in Southeast Asia and Oceania.

 

The four-month deployment of the USS Peleliu reflects the longstanding ties between our two countries and reflects American compassion for the people of the Western Pacific region with whom Americans share common bonds.  The American people and U.S. Navy are committed to working with our partners to assist people in need of humanitarian outreach.  The USS Peleliu will visit the Philippines, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and the Marshall Islands; specific dates and ports of call will be announced soon.

 

The deployment will strengthen the goodwill forged between the host nation partners, American forces, and NGOs during previous assistance missions, such as the USNS Mercy deployment in 2006. 

 

"The American people are committed to working with our friends and partners in the Philippines,” says Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney.  “I’m proud that the USS Peleliu is visiting the Philippines, and I know that the dedicated men and women on board are excited to visit this beautiful country and to partner with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to assist the Filipino people.”

 

Adm. Robert Willard, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, praised all involved with the mission that continues the long tradition of U.S. Navy support of humanitarian-assistance programs throughout the world.  “The United States is a Pacific nation and as such, we share many interests, values and beliefs with our Pacific neighbors,” he said. 

 

USS Peleliu is a multipurpose amphibious ship.  She is the first U.S. Navy ship to carry the name Peleliu, and the second ship named in honor of the World War II battles fought in the Palau Islands.  The Pacific Partnership humanitarian mission is commanded by Capt. Robert Stewart, commander, Destroyer Squadron Thirty One.  The commanding officer of USS Peleliu is Capt. Ed Rhoades. 

 

For more information about the Pacific Partnership deployment, visit the Internet at http://www.cpf.navy.mil/news_images/Peleliu/index.html.