JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- The United States and Vietnam along with other partners will work together to conduct humanitarian assistance engagements from Sept. 10-15 as part of Pacific Angel 2018 (PAC ANGEL) in Quang Nam province.

PAC ANGEL is an annual U.S. led joint and combined humanitarian assistance and disaster relief engagement that includes general health, dental, optometry, pediatrics and engineering programs, as well as various subject-matter expert exchanges.

“The U.S. at the invitation of the Government of Vietnam is providing support by conducting medical, dental, optometry and engineering programs as well as subject matter expert exchanges,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Vinh Trinh, 13th Expeditionary Air Squadron mission commander for PAC ANGEL. “As part of this engagement, we’re committed to introducing and maturing Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief planning techniques and civil-military-interagency interoperability with Vietnam forces, while bringing humanitarian assistance to the people of Quang Nam province.”

Approximately 65 U.S. military members will work in partnership with partner nation support, local non-governmental organizations and host nation military forces to train together providing medical, dental, optometry, and engineering assistance, and conducting subject matter expert exchanges in Tam Giang district, Nui Thanh district, Tien Phuoc district, and Phu Ninh district in Quang Nam province.

Vietnam Air Defense Air Force (ADAF), U.S. forces, Australian forces and other regional nations will work together throughout PAC ANGLE to provide repairs and renovations to local schools, clinics and community centers. Vietnam ADAF and U.S. service members along with local civilian medical providers will increase interoperability by sharing best medical practices.

“The U.S. is dedicated to working together with Vietnam and other nations and organizations to build capability and partnership in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Trinh.

PAC ANGEL is one of four Pacific Angel humanitarian assistance engagements taking place in 2018. Earlier this year, U.S. Pacific Air Forces conducted events in Timor Leste, Vanuatu and Sri Lanka.

Now entering its 11th year, PAC ANGEL ensures the 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 by providing health services ranging from dental, optometry, pediatrics and physical therapy to civil engineering programs, humanitarian aid and disaster relief and subject matter exchanges.