An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | June 11, 2015

PACANGEL 15-4 Papua New Guinea Ends

By Staff Sgt. Marcus Morris Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs

Pacific Angel 15-4 officially ended June 8 after seven days of civic assistance projects that provided medical care for 3,859 patients, refurbished three schools for 3,000 students and helped two local hospitals overhaul their ability to respond to emergencies.

The Papua New Guinea Defence Force, Australian Royal air force, Philippines, Indonesia and New Zealand worked side-by-side with 56 U.S. Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines during the operation.

Julie Soso, Eastern Highlands Province governor, expressed her appreciation for the Pacific Angel humanitarian efforts in her region.

"I'd like to acknowledge the participants of Pacific Angel 15-4 who are here; you have been a great friend for the people in the Eastern Highlands these last eight days," Soso said. "I would like to, on behalf of the people of the Eastern Highlands, take this time to thank the Pacific Angels for giving to the health centers and for the improvements you have done to our schools. With your presence here, we know America is with us."

The city of Goroka honored the hard work the combined Pacific Angel team provided by hosting a closing ceremony. At the ceremony, Asaro Mudmen dancers, local "sing-sing" choruses and drummers lead the distinguished visitors onto the stage in the style of a traditional Melanesian guests-of-honor.

Walter North, U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, noted the significance of U.S. disaster response and medical efforts reaching the remote highland districts of the country for the first time.

The President sent his best wishes to all of those who helped the Pacific Angels accomplish their work in Papua New Guinea, he added.

Over the past week, the team of Pacific nations partnered with military and civilian medical professionals to provide general health, pediatrics physical therapy, dental and optometry services to the people of Papua New Guinea. The team also made a host of electrical and structural improvements to local schools coping with a recent surge in education efforts and new student enrollment in the country.

"These projects are visible as an expression of the United States' commitment to the Asian-Pacific region and demonstrate our continuing resolve to support international disaster and humanitarian relief efforts in this region," said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. William Burks, Nevada National Guard adjutant general.

Burks also said Pacific Angel events are the cornerstone of Pacific Air Forces by helping those in need and allowing interoperability with likeminded military and civilians in the region.

"Through Pacific Angel we have reinforced the existing partnerships, and we'll create new friendships to ensure a more peaceful and prosperous Asian-Pacific region," he said. "Without a doubt, your achievements here today and over the past weeks have positively impacted the people in Goroka, and by working together now, we are ensuring a more rapid and integrated response to the next natural disaster or humanitarian assistance crisis."

Pacific Angel is a joint and combined humanitarian assistance operation conducted in the Pacific area of responsibility to support U.S. Pacific Command's capacity building efforts. The humanitarian and civic assistance program is aimed at improving military-civilian cooperation between the United States and Pacific partners.

The next Pacific Angel will take place in the Philippines in August.
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                      

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
USINDOPACOM Hosts Korea Military Academy Cadets 
Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, speaks with cadets from the Korea Military Academy during their visit to USINDOPACOM headquarters on Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Nov. 5, 2024. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Austin Riel)
Nov. 5, 2024 - Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, spoke to cadets from the Korea Military Academy during their visit to USINDOPACOM headquarters on Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Nov. 5, 2024.Paparo emphasized the...

35th ADA Brigade supports Keen Sword 25 exercise in Japan
Soldiers from Eighth Army’s 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade pose for a group photo in Japan during Keen Sword 25. Keen Sword is a joint bilateral exercise designed to increase readiness and interoperability between the U.S. and Japan. The 10-day exercise concluded Nov. 1, 2024. Seventeen service members from E Battery, 6-52 Air Defense Artillery Battalion participated in a joint field training exercise with the 17th Field Artillery Brigade (Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington) in Japan. (Exact photo date unknown)
Nov. 5, 2024 - Soldiers from Eighth Army’s 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade participated in Keen Sword 25, which concluded Nov. 1...

Royal Thai Air Force nurses visit 59th Medical Wing
Royal Thai Air Force nurses pose with U.S. Air Force personnel aboard a Lockheed C-5 Galaxy at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas Sept. 9, 2024. The visit, part of a collaborative exchange program with the 59th Medical Wing, allowed Thai nurses to experience U.S. military healthcare operations and readiness training firsthand. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew-John Braman)
Nov. 5, 2024 - In September and October 2024, the 59th Medical Wing hosted a team of five nurses from the Royal Thai Air Force, based at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, a primary care provider for RTAF personnel and the local community...

Camp Fuji Fire Remembered 45 Years Later
In the background, Aaron D. Snipe, minister counselor for political affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, speaks at the 1979 Camp Fuji Fire memorial ceremony, October 18, 2024. The fire destroyed structures, injured dozens, and led to the death of 13 Marines.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Song Jordan)
Nov. 5, 2024 - On October 19, 1979, a typhoon’s destructive winds led to a fire breaking out on Camp Fuji...

U.S. 7th Fleet Attends Staff Talks with Indonesian Navy Leadership
241024-N-FA353-1061 YOKOSUKA, Japan (Oct. 24, 2024) – Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet speaks to First Admiral Gung Putu Alit Jaya, Head of Naval Operations and Exercise and Indonesian staff counterparts during a U.S.-Indonesian leadership engagement onboard Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Oct. 23-24, 2024. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Belen Saldana)
Nov. 4, 2024 - Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, and members of the U.S. 7th Fleet Staff met with key leaders and counterparts of the Indonesian Navy as part of a leadership engagement onboard Commander, Fleet Activities...