Pacific Response Group boosts regional readiness in Exercise MARARA 26

TAHITI, French Polynesia — With military and civilian teams from across the Pacific converging for Exercise MARARA 26, the Pacific Response Group is using the multinational drill to deepen relationships and sharpen interoperability aimed at future humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

MARARA 26, led by the French Armed Forces in French Polynesia, brings together 12 Pacific partner nations to rehearse coordinated responses to a major natural disaster affecting a Pacific island nation. Taking place across Tahiti, Hao and Makemo, the exercise concentrates on logistics, medical support, communications and regional crisis-response capabilities.

For the Pacific Response Group (PRG), the event is a chance to reinforce the partnerships that underpin its mission. The PRG is a multinational Pacific military organization established to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations throughout the region, with a mission to liaise, advise and assist nations affected by natural disasters and other crises. Its members include personnel from Australia, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga.

Papua New Guinea Defence Force Maj. Danny Orim, the PRG’s deputy commander, underscored the importance of trust and shared experience built before a crisis. “The PRG multinational structure is not just about bringing military support,” said Orim. “It is about the relationships that we build across the Pacific region. The shared knowledge, culture, traditions and skillsets that we bring makes us stronger together to protect our region.”

That collaboration, he noted, is strengthened by the organization’s diverse makeup. “PRG is unique because of the diversity of its culture, tradition, skill sets and experience that each member brings to the group,” he said. “It is a multinational Pacific military group that provides humanitarian aid and disaster relief across the entire Pacific region.”

The group emphasizes sustained cooperation and mutual understanding among its members to ensure effective responses when disasters occur. “PRG is all about our people, our region and our home,” said Orim. “We train, work and grow in this relationship day by day, and we understand our strengths and weaknesses and complement each other.”

MARARA 26 offers a live test of those bonds while broadening coordination with other militaries and civilian organizations across the Pacific. “MARARA 26 helps PRG strengthen its relationships and interoperability with other multinational military forces and civilian organizations,” Orim said.

Beyond rehearsing procedures, participants are comparing approaches and capabilities to refine how they work together in real-world scenarios. “I have come to better understand their military capabilities, their humanitarian assistance and disaster response frameworks, culture, traditions and the values that they carry with them to serve and protect their home, families and country,” said Orim. “It has given me a better understanding of how we can come together in times of crisis to help protect our region and our people.”

Orim highlighted the payoff of building connections well before emergencies unfold. “We build relationships in peacetime, and during the worst day, when our people cry out for help, we step out with trust and confidence to deliver humanitarian aid and disaster relief effectively and efficiently,” Orim said.

As the exercise continues across French Polynesia, the PRG remains focused on preparing for future challenges through cooperation and shared commitment. “PRG is a reliable and smarter way to respond to crises,” Orim said. “The people of this region can depend on PRG to deliver in times of crisis because it is by the people, for the people.”

For Orim and his multinational teammates, the aim is summed up simply: “Our people, our home, our region.”