TAWAU, Malaysia -- Sailors participating in Pacific Partnership 2018 (PP18) aboard Military Sealift Command expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Brunswick (T-EPF 6) made their third stop of the mission in Tawau, April 21.

Pacific Partnership, now in its 13th iteration, is the largest annual multilateral 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.

"The Pacific Partnership team is very excited to begin the mission in Tawau," said Capt. Peter Olive, Pacific Partnership 2018 deputy mission commander. “It's truly a pleasure to be working together with so many different cultures and build partnerships that will provide a great deal of help for people of the Pacific.”

The mission in Tawau will continue through May 4, and personnel will work alongside one another with local medical professionals. They will also participate in civil engineering projects, conduct HA/DR readiness drills, and partner in community engagements.

Brunswick and hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) are conducting visits to different Asia-Pacific nations during the course of PP18, increasing the reach and scope of PP18 participants and host nation counterparts to conduct technical expertise exchanges in medical, engineering, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. 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 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.