PORT VILA, Vanuatu -- This is the first civil-military disaster preparedness and response initiative between the Vanuatu Mobile Force and the U.S. Army Pacific. The exercise runs August 2nd to 5th.

The Oceania DREE emphasizes operational civil-military humanitarian assistance & disaster relief (HA/DR) topics that enhance collaboration and communication. It focuses on national readiness to all hazard situations in the Oceania region and provides a framework for civil and military authorities to present best practices, engage in collaborative dialogue, exercise plans and procedures, and enhance response readiness.

Vanuatu sits on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' at the meeting of two tectonic plates, exposing the island nation to frequent common natural hazards such as cyclones, volcanic eruptions, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts and sea level rises.

"It is not a question of whether," explained Prime Minister Charlot Salwai of Vanuatu. "It is not a question of if. It is only a question of when. When will Vanuatu be hit by a large scale natural disaster? Oceania Pacific Resilience DREE gives U.S., Vanuatu and other participants training similar to what they might conduct on their own, but with the added benefit of working with international and non-governmental organizations. During these portions of the exercise, Vanuatu and the United States, will work together to enhance interoperability, as well as develop common tactics, techniques and procedures."

The Oceania Pacific Resilience DREE is anchored on Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief HA/DR operations, and the integration of all first responder communities. It practices how militaries support civilian authorities during disaster situations, the reception and dissemination of foreign humanitarian assistance and the strategic communication required to successfully execute emergency management plans. It does all of these things in full partnership between civilian and military institutions.

"Theater Security Cooperation exercise such as this, enables U.S. Army Pacific to maintain our steadfast commitment to our partners throughout the region on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery." said Brig. Gen. Stephen K. Curda, Commander, 9th Mission Support Command. "Our goal is to remain reliable, capable, and be a responsive partner in the event of an emergency while enhancing the U.S. government's readiness to provide assistance whether natural or other disasters when requested by civil authorities."

The scenario will focus on a cyclone/multi-hazard event, designed to test Vanuatu's Emergency Operations Center Standard Operating Procedures and evaluate disaster management laws, procedures and organizational structures. It is also designed to test first responders' capabilities, civil-military coordination, and the Government of Vanuatu's ability to coordinate humanitarian assistance from a variety of institutions and countries.

The 2016 Oceania PR DREE is a civil-military disaster preparedness and response initiative between the Governments of Vanuatu, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, New Caledonia, Cook Islands, Marshal Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, and the United States. This exercise is part of a continued annual engagement with these country partners.

This year's event will also include a table-top exercise (TTX) and possibly a field site demonstration to test various HA/DR scenarios. Lastly, the PR DREE will end with a detailed after action review designed to capture lessons-learned and best practices. This information will go into shaping future HA/DR activities, as well as potentially identifying recommendations to enhance existing disaster management documents and procedures.