Pacific Partnership 2026 mission begins, marking two decades of Indo-Pacific cooperation

SAN DIEGO — Pacific Partnership 2026 has begun with the departure of U.S. personnel from San Diego to the mission coordinating hub in the Philippines on May 27. The mission, described as the U.S. Navy’s largest annual maritime humanitarian and civic assistance effort in the Indo-Pacific, will conduct stops in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.

The team is led by U.S. Navy Capt. Robert C. Reyes as mission commander and Canadian Armed Forces Col. Alain Lafrenière as deputy mission commander. “This year marks the 20th anniversary of Pacific Partnership, and the 22nd time embarking on this critical mission alongside our allies and partners,” said Reyes. “With our unified commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, we strengthen regional security by building host nation capacity to prepare for and overcome crises, deepen cooperation, and deliver an enduring impact across the region.”

U.S. personnel will work alongside counterparts from Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and the United Kingdom to bolster host nation capacity for humanitarian services and disaster response. The deployment includes medical exchanges, engineering projects, community outreach, and disaster preparedness engagements, with the first stop scheduled in Vietnam in mid-June.

The mission will focus on enhancing multilateral cooperation, strengthening national capacities for disaster and emergency response, and deepening strategic partnerships across the region. Pacific Partnership collaborates with host and partner nations to improve regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security, and foster enduring relationships. The U.S. Pacific Fleet and its partners continue efforts in support of a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.

Updates and multimedia for Pacific Partnership 2026 are available via #PacificPartnership, #PP26, and #PacificPartnership26 and at https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/PacificPartnership.