US, KOREAN FORCES IN BICOL: Mission to boost reg’l cooperation, readiness

By RHAYDZ B. BARCIA

TWO ships, one from the United States Armed Forces and the Korean Navy Amphibious Ship, docked at two major international seaports in Albay province for a two-week Pacific Partnership humanitarian mission.

The USNS City of Bismarck (TEFP 9) arrived at the Legazpi City International Seaport two days before the Pacific Partnership 2024-2 mission began in the Philippines. Meanwhile, the 416-foot-long Korean Navy warship ROKS Il Chul Bong docked at the Tabaco City International Port on Thursday afternoon, joining the mission in Legazpi City with 202 personnel from the Republic of Korea.

The Korean forces, consisting of navy, army, and air force personnel, are led by the commanding officer of LST-688, Park Jeong Won. Troops from the United States Armed Forces were welcomed by Legazpi City Mayor Geraldine Rosal at

Legazpi Seaport, while Korean forces were met by Mayor Krisel Lagman and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod on Thursday afternoon.

The Korean warship’s arrival in Tabaco City International Seaport is part of the Pacific Partnership 2024, a humanitarian mission that includes building and renovating school buildings and conducting disaster and tsunami exercises with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, and Bureau of Fire Protection.

LTJG Winslow Blow, assistant public affairs officer for PP24-2, told Bicol Mail that the Pacific Partnership 2024 humanitarian mission involves composite forces from the United States, United Kingdom, Korea, and Australia.

The USNS designation stands for “United States Naval Ship,” indicating a civilian-manned, military-owned vessel. The expeditionary fast transport ship USNS City of Bismarck (TEFP 9) is designed for rapid and agile manoeuvrability at austere or degraded offload points. It features a flight deck for day and night aircraft operations, seating for 312 embarked forces, and berthing for 104 people.

“The Pacific Partnership will last for two weeks, with the composite forces conducting humanitarian missions, including disaster response training with counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other government forces,” LTJG Winslow Blow said.

Captain Daniel J. Keeler, Pacific Partnership 24-2 mission commander, expressed enthusiasm about training with Legazpi’s medical and disaster relief personnel. “It’s wonderful to return to the Philippines, where we look forward to training alongside the citizens of Legazpi,” he said. “Our nations share a rich history of collaboration, and we look forward to strengthening that cooperation and friendship.”

The Pacific Partnership visited Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, in 2022, San Fernando City, La Union, in 2023, and will be in Legazpi City, Luzon, starting August 14, 2024. The mission fosters multilateral cooperation, emphasizing a multinational and whole-of-government approach by collaborating with partner nation militaries, host nation agencies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, the U.S. State Department, U.S. Interagency, and U.S. military branches.

“Combining the expertise of professional mariners with the skill of our Pacific Partnership forces makes the USNS City of Bismarck a versatile asset for any humanitarian assistance or disaster relief scenario,” said Chris Jackson, the ship’s master. “This platform, with a 20,000 sq ft mission bay capable of carrying any cargo, makes it ideal for bringing Pacific Partnership back to the Philippines for the third consecutive year.”

Born from the December 2004 tsunami that devastated parts of South and Southeast Asia, Pacific Partnership began as a military-led humanitarian response to this catastrophic natural disaster. The inaugural mission in 2006 expanded disaster relief capacity in Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste.

Now in its 20th iteration, Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission in the Indo-Pacific. Each year, the mission team collaborates with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability, increase security and stability, and foster new and enduring friendships. The 24-2 mission also includes stops in Vanuatu, Vietnam, and the Federated States of Micronesia, with events synchronized with host nation requests and needs.

COMMANDING Officer of Korean Navy warship Roks ll Chui Bong LST-688, Park, Jeong Won meets with the city officials of Tabaco City led by Mayor Krisel Lagman on Thursday afternoon at Tabaco City international seaport. Rhaydz B. Barcia