The 21st Pacific Partnership mission began in Tonga last week, bringing together U.S. and Tongan teams in engineering and medical projects to strengthen disaster‑response capabilities.
Teams will conduct community health clinics covering ophthalmology, nursing, nutrition and environmental health, while engineers focus on repairing facilities at a Ha‘ateiho Technical School and maintaining mobile generator units.
“The various medical and engineering endeavors … are a reflection of our … shared values,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Mark B. Stefanik, mission commander. Chargé d’affaires Marcus Jackson added: “His Majesty’s Armed Forces and U.S. forces … build together”.
According to Lt Cmdr Benjamin Carrington, mission lead, these joint efforts strengthen Tonga’s infrastructure and boost regional interoperability to ensure swift cooperation during future disasters.
Pacific Partnership, the largest annual humanitarian‑assistance and disaster‑relief preparedness mission in the Indo‑Pacific, aims to enhance host‑nation capacities, foster regional security, and cement enduring relationships.
