Multinational crew attend Pacific Partnership meeting

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force JS Kunisaki carrying a multinational crew of US, Australian and Japanese personnel arrived at Da Nang's Tien Sa Port for the Pacific Partnership 2014 meeting yesterday.

Mission commander US Navy Captain Brian Shipman, deputy mission commander of Japan's Maritime Defense Captain Yoichi Matsui, and Australian mission chief of staff Army Lt. Col. John Cronin represented their respective nations at the meeting.


The nine-day collaborative medical activities will focus on events and skills in areas such as military medicine and engineering.

The programme will include a series of medical conferences on emergency care, battlefield trauma, medical care, burns and plastic reconstruction at Da Nang General Hospital and Military Hospital 17.

"The programme aims to strengthen co-operation in efforts to tackle natural disasters among partners. It also boosts the exchange of medical engineering, cultural activities and co-operation, as well as friendship between Viet Nam and Japan," Yoichi Matsui told a press conference at the port.

Work will also be carried out to upgrade the Hoa Quy health centre in Hoa Vang District and a Da Nang orphanage.

The US 7th Fleet Band, Orient Express, will perform on the banks of the Han River and at the Eastern Sea Park, and sporting events will also be held between the four countries.

The programme will run until next Sunday.