Pacific Partnership 2010 Rerurns to Vietnam Onboard the Hospital Ship USNS Mercy

May 25, 2010

Binh Dinh, Vietnam – At the invitation of the Vietnamese government, the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) will return to Vietnam on May 31 to visit Binh Dinh Province and cooperate with the Vietnamese government on medical, construction and engineering projects as a part of Pacific Partnership 2010.  Pacific Partnership 2010 is the fifth in a series of annual U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance endeavors aimed at strengthening regional partnerships and increasing interoperability with host nations, partner nations, U.S. interagency groups, and international humanitarian and relief organizations.

Pacific Partnership 2010 participants include volunteers from the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) East Meets West Foundation (EMWF), Latter-day Saint Charities, Peace Winds America, Project Hope, Vets Without Borders, World Vets, and University of California San Diego (UCSD) Pre-Dental Society.  In addition, Japanese NGO composition consists of Operation Civic Force, HUMA, and UNIES.  Medical and engineering professionals from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Singapore, United Kingdom, and the U.S. military are participating.  Medical personnel from Vietnam will work with the ship to provide medical care in partnership with their American and international counterparts.

During the visit to Binh Dinh province from May 31 to June 12, the Pacific Partnership team will conduct numerous medical, dental engineering, and veterinary civic action programs. The Pacific Fleet Band will give public musical performances.

One of the major missions of the Mercy is to provide mobile surgical hospital services for use in disaster or humanitarian relief missions, or other peacetime military operations.  Mercy has participated in several deployments and the ship’s deployment to the city of Nha Trang in Vietnam in 2008 was a huge success, encouraging it to return to Vietnam a second time.  Mercy is currently deployed from its homeport of San Diego, Calif., and has been configured with special medical equipment and a multiple specialty medical team of uniformed and civilian health care providers to provide a range of services ashore during this deployment.

In addition to the Mercy participation, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will assist in medical training and subject matter expert exchanges to provide quality medical and dental healthcare. While in Vietnam, the dock landing ship JDS Kunisaki will provide additional medical support.

Note to reporters: A welcome ceremony and interview opportunities with a high-ranking official from U.S. Pacific Fleet and the Captain aboard the Mercy are planned for May 31, 2010 at 15h00 PM. Other media events will include a ship tour, site visits to clinics and other locations aided by Pacific Partnership 2010, as well as visits by high-level U.S. officials.  International and local reporters who wish to cover the events should register in advance with Mrs. Le Thi Thanh Hien, Press Assistant, U.S. Consulate General in HCMC via e-mail: Letth@state.gov, or cell phone: 0908019991. International media must also contact the Ho Chi Minh City-based Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ERO) to obtain appropriate permits. The U.S. Consulate General can provide contact information if needed.