CHANGI, Singapore – Service members and partner nation personnel participating in Pacific Partnership 2018 (PP18) aboard Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), arrived in Changi, Singapore on April 13 for a port call.

During the visit, the crew will conduct routine maintenance, load additional supplies onto the ship, and prepare for the second mission stop in Port Kelang, Malaysia.

“The crew and I are excited to visit Singapore and to get the chance to experience this wonderful city," said Capt. David Bretz, PP18 mission commander. ”This brief visit provides a great opportunity to prepare for our next mission stop in Malaysia and build upon the momentum we have from our time in Indonesia.”

During PP18, Mercy and Military Sealift Command expeditionary fast transport USNS Brunswick (T-EPF 6), U.S. ships participating in PP18, are conducting visits to different Asia-Pacific nations, increasing the reach and scope of PP18 participants and host nation counterparts to conduct technical expertise exchanges in medical, engineering, and HA/DR. Additionally, key leader and community engagement events will allow for direct engagement with local citizens and enhanced relationships with partner nation military and government leadership.

Pacific Partnership, now in its 13th iteration, is the largest annual multilateral HA/DR preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-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. military personnel stationed worldwide, working side-by-side with host nation counterparts to be better prepared for potential humanitarian aid and disaster response situations.