The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has deployed specialist personnel to five countries across the Indo-Pacific region for Pacific Partnership 2023, taking place from August to December.
Now in its 18th year, Pacific Partnership strengthens alliances and promotes multilateral disaster management resilience in the Indo-Pacific region, with ADF personnel joining the United States-led mission in Philippines, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga.
Australia will provide tailored medical, dental, nursing and environmental health support, guidance on Gender, Peace and Security (GPS) considerations for operations and participate in a variety of training opportunities and information exchanges.
Approximately 30 ADF personnel will be involved in the mission, with a team of health specialists and GPS advisors arriving in Philippines this week, joining Royal Australian Navy musicians on board United States Ship Pearl Harbor.
“ADF participation in Pacific Partnership 2023 demonstrates our enduring commitment to enhancing resilience and preparedness to respond to natural disasters in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Air Vice-Marshal Michael Kitcher, Deputy Chief of Joint Operations.
“Strong relationships are the foundation for responding to shared security challenges and Pacific Partnership enables us to cooperate with partners, build on our shared capacity and bring nations together to support a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.”