LUGNAVILLE, Vanuatu -- The United States and Vanuatu will conduct a humanitarian assistance engagement during Pacific Angel (PAC ANGEL) 2018, July 16-21, 2018.

PAC ANGEL 18 is an annual joint and combined exercise that provides general health and engineering programs to the residents of Espiritu Santo and Tanna Islands, Vanuatu, and bolsters humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) capabilities.

During this exercise, approximately 65 U.S. military members will partner and train with Vanuatu service members, partner nations and local non-governmental organizations.

PAC ANGEL Vanuatu is the second of four humanitarian assistance engagements taking place in 2018. Earlier this year, Pacific Air Forces conducted events in Suai, Cova Lima Municipality, Southwest Timor-Leste and future engagements are planned in Anuradhapura (North Central Province), Puttalam (Northwest Province) and Vavuniya (Northern Province), Sri Lanka and Tam Ky, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.

Now entering its eleventh year, PAC ANGEL ensures region’s militaries are prepared to work together to address humanitarian crises. Since 2007, PAC ANGEL engagements have impacted the lives of tens of thousands of people and developed regional HA/DR and partnership capacities.