Pacific Partnership demonstates Vietnam-US people-to-people ties: Marc Knapper

Pacific Partnership 2023 – an annual deployment of forces from the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy (USN) – concluded its first mission stop in Tuy Hoa, Vietnam’s central province of Phu Yen, indicating security cooperation and people-to-people after two weeks.

US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the Pacific Partnership 2023 in Phu Yen, which was hosted by Deputy Chairman of Phu Yen People’s Committee Dao My, the ambassador himself, and Pacific Partnership 2023 mission commander US Navy Captain Claudine Caluori, who extolled the important role of the Pacific Partnership in US-Vietnam relations.

“Pacific Partnership is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to security cooperation and people-to-people ties,” Knapper said, adding that this was demonstrated across Phu Yen over the last two weeks by the engineers, medical professionals, and subject matter experts who have worked closely with their Vietnamese counterparts to connect with local people and help improve their lives.

Pacific Partnership, now in its 12th year in Vietnam, gives participants, including US and Vietnamese soldiers, a chance to collaborate to improve disaster response skills and cultivate long-lasting connections. The largest yearly international humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness effort in the Indo-Pacific, Pacific Partnership 2023, is now in its 18th year.

“[Pacific Partnership] addresses our shared interest in regional peace and security by building our shared capabilities to respond to disasters and provide humanitarian assistance in times of need,” said Ambassador Knapper.

While in Phu Yen, Pacific Partnership 2023 completed 120 subject matter expert exchanges in the areas of public health and preventive medicine at community health engagements, 11 dental events, serving more than 500 patients, and 93 surgeries, five of which were pediatric and nutritional counseling for 64 people. 

They trained 70 personnel over two days of basic life support events and 55 personnel in advanced life support. The culmination of all the medical training was exemplified in a mass casualty training exercise. Over 100 Pacific Partnership and Vietnamese personnel worked side-by-side at Phu Yen Hospital, triaging patients from simulated disasters.

Exchanges in engineering, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and culture actively engaged the Phu Yen people and underscored the positive people-to-people ties between the US and Vietnam.

“The numbers of all completed during Pacific Partnership 2023’s week and a half mission stop in Tuy Hoa embodies the mission’s values of enhancing humanitarian response and disaster relief,” said Caluori. “I would like to thank the Government of Vietnam for welcoming my team and look forward to seeing Vietnam’s relationship with the US prosper for years to come.”

The mission team of Pacific Partnership 2023 will conduct mission stops throughout Southeast Asia and the South Pacific Islands.                                                

Each year, the mission team collaborates with the host and partner countries to strengthen regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, boost regional security and stability, and develop new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. 

US soldiers at a construction site in Tuy Hoa, Phu Yen. Photos: American Center Ho Chi Minh City

US personnel at the construction site.

A newly-built school in Tuy Hoa.

US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper, local officials, teachers and students in Tuy Hoa.

Pacific Partnership 2023 mission commander US Navy Captain Claudine Caluori (L) and US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper in a new classroom.

US and Vietnam officials at the closing ceremony of the Pacific Partnership 2023 Program.

US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper and local young people.