USNS Mercy delivers medical supplies to Ulithi Atoll

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Kelsey Adams | 180320-N-RM689-0281 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 20, 2018) Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) transits the waters near Ulithi Atoll while en route to the Mercy’s first mission stop of Pacific Partnership 2018 (PP18). PP18’s mission is to work collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase stability and security in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships across the Indo-Pacific Region. Pacific Partnership, now in its 13th iteration, is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelsey L. Adams/Released)  

MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

03.20.2018

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kelsey Adams 

Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific

PACIFIC OCEAN- Servicemembers assigned to Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) made a brief mission stop March 20 near Ulithi Atoll, which is part of the Caroline Islands in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).

This is the first official engagement of Pacific Partnership 2018 (PP18), where the Mercy will be sailing near Ulithi Atoll and using helicopters to deliver medical supplies to a advanced echelon team of PP 18 medical professionals embarked on USNS Brunswick, the secondary mission platform, which will conducting a mission in FSM. PP18 medical professionals plan to work alongside Ulithi Atoll public health professionals, assisting in treating local citizens at a clinic.

“It’s truly a pleasure for our PP18 team to conduct this exercise and strengthen the partnership between our two countries,” said PP18’s mission commander, Capt. David Bretz. “This mission also holds a deeper meaning because of the strong historical ties the United States has had with Ulithi in the past.”

On March 19, 1945, Comfort-class hospital ship USS Mercy (AH 8) reported to the 5th Fleet at the Ulithi Atoll to assist the Okinawa campaign, during WWII. Throughout this campaign, USS Mercy made serval stops in Okinawa where they began embarking and treating patients despite the frequent air raids and kamikaze attacks. The Ulithi Atoll became one of the centralized points for the allies to treat patients and gather supplies for four months. For her service during WWII, the Mercy received two battle stars.

Seventy-three years and one day after the USS Mercy made a stop in the Ulithi Atoll, USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), anchored near Ulithi Atoll. This feat was significant to many.





“It’s very special to be doing this in a place like the Ulithi Atoll, which has incredible historical significance for the Allies efforts in the Pacific Theater during World War II,” said Her Majesty’s Royal Navy Capt. Peter Olive, Deputy Mission Commander, Pacific Partnership 2018. “Joint efforts such as these are what Pacific Partnership is all about – multiple nations coming together to achieve a common goal and to share experiences.”

During this mission, several government officials from the Federated States of Micronesia were flown onto the Mercy from the Ulithi Atoll, where they were given a tour of the ship and were able to meet Sailors stationed aboard the ship.

“We are really excited to help out in any way that we can,” said Lt. Brian Ford, family physician and the event led for the medical portion of this exercise. “Ultihi has done a lot historically for the United States, and I think it will be an amazing opportunity to give back to a community that has assisted the United States in the past by working alongside their local health professionals in a clinic and bring medical supplies to this clinic to be used for current and future patients.”

Mercy, along with Military Sealift Command expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Brunswick (T-EPF 6), are participating in Pacific Partnership 2018 (PP18), the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. PP18’s objective is to enhance regional coordination in areas such as medical readiness and preparedness for man-made and natural disasters.

Pacific Partnership 2018 consists of more than 800 U.S., partner and host nation personnel working side-by-side to better prepare for potential humanitarian aid and disaster response situations.

For more news on about USNS Mercy or PP18 Visit the Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/pages/PacificPartnership/

• Date Taken: 03.20.2018
• Date Posted: 03.20.2018 09:53
• Story ID: 269943
• Location: FM