Foreign soldiers in Legazpi City for humanitarian mission

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 30, 2024): Foreign soldiers in Legazpi City for humanitarian mission (By Emmanuel Solis)

HUMANITARIAN MISSION. The United States Naval Ship City of Bismarck arrives at the Legazpi City Port from the United States of America on Tuesday (July 30, 2024). The ship carried some 220 foreign soldiers who will conduct a two-week humanitarian mission dubbed Pacific Partnership 2024. (PNA photo by Emmanuel Solis)

LEGAZPI CITY – The United States Naval Ship, City of Bismarck, arrived at the port here on Tuesday from the United States of America, carrying around 220 foreign soldiers who will conduct a two-week humanitarian mission under the Pacific Partnership 2024.

“It’s wonderful to return to the Philippines, where we look forward to training alongside the citizens of Legazpi City’s medical and disaster relief personnel,” said Captain Daniel J. Keeler, Pacific Partnership 24-2 mission commander.

Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific.

It was first conducted in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan province, in 2022 and San Fernando City, La Union in 2023. The mission team will be in this city from July 30 - Aug. 14, 2024.

The Pacific Partnership fosters multilateral cooperation and emphasizes a multinational and whole-of-government approach by planning and executing operations with partner nation militaries, host nation civilian agencies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, the US State Department, US interagency and the US military service branches.

Keeler said their nation will share a rich history of collaboration and look forward to strengthening that mutual cooperation and friendship in the days and years ahead.

“Combining the expertise of professional mariners with the skills of our Pacific Partnership forces makes the USNS City of Bismarck a ready and versatile asset to respond to any humanitarian assistance or disaster relief scenario,” Ship Master Chris Jackson said.

Legazpi City Mayor Geraldine Rosal, in an interview, said that at least 220 soldiers from the USA, Japan, and Korea will conduct the humanitarian activities here, particularly the rehabilitation of some school buildings constructed during the American era.

She noted that there would be no joint military exercise between the foreign soldiers and Filipino troops alongside the mission.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1230112