090715-N-9689V-003

090715-N-9689V-003
LIFUKA, Tonga– (July 15, 2009) Australian Army Cpl. Diane Beningfield, dental tech, provides dental treatment to a local man during a Pacific Partnership 2009 Medical Civic Action Project (MEDCAP) site held at Niu’ui Hospital. The U.S. Navy’s Pacific Partnership is the dedicated humanitarian and civil assistance mission conducted by, with and through partner nations, non-governmental organizations and other U.S. and international government agencies to execute a variety of humanitarian civic action missions in the Pacific Fleet area of responsibility. Pacific Partnership is currently in Oceania, and will continue to Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Solomon Islands. The USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) serves as the enabling platform for U.S. and partner nation military and non-governmental organizations to coordinate humanitarian civic assistance efforts. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Joshua Valcarcel (RELEASED)