By CAPT Jesse A. Wilson, Pacific Partnership 2011 mission commander
Wading through the creek to reach the ancient ruins of Pohnpei at Nan Madol, I was reminded of the expeditionary nature of our mission. One of the council chiefs of Pohnpei arranged the impromptu excursion as a means of allowing us to experience some of the rich culture of the Pacific islands, with Nan Madol being one of the foremost archeological finds in the Pacific region.
How did I arrive at this location of Pohnpei? Transported by the Pacific Partnership flagship, USS CLEVELAND, the third oldest ship in the U.S. Navy, but still as capable as many ships that are decades her junior. Within her hull, she harbors Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1665, which is capable of delivering 400 personnel and 125 tons of cargo including heavy lift equipment ashore in support of operations across the entire spectrum. In this particular case, the LCU launched from CLEVELAND delivers the resources in personnel and cargo that are the power of Pacific Partnership.
This operation being conducted in a time of calm from natural disasters is a demonstration of the same capability that will be required during a time of crisis where aid and personnel will need to be delivered rapidly ashore. This is expeditionary…rapid, flexible, adaptable, Joint, and interagency movement ashore. But there is another added bonus to the mission that is also expeditionary. We have managed to move diplomacy ashore as well.
The goodwill, friendliness, leadership, and genuine compassion that all our partner nations, doctors, nurses, engineers, veterinarians, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and military members have brought to our host nations during this deployment has been extremely well received. Each member of our Joint, interagency, and multi-national Pacific Partnership team has been, in a sense, an ambassador for the regional partnership. They have performed exceedingly well, and the bonds of friendship and interoperability that have been developed will prove beneficial during the next time of crisis when it is too late to inquire of someone, “Please tell me about your family”. We have surged diplomacy to the region in an expeditionary fashion, and I couldn’t be any prouder of our team’s performance.
Additionally, as a testament to the flexibility and adaptability of the LCU, when CLEVELAND was unable to anchor or moor in Pohnpei due to navigation constraints, the LCU provided a location ashore to hold our arrival reception. This was perhaps the first of its kind in entertaining distinguished visitors from a foreign country. In attendance were the Vice President of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Governor of Pohnpei state, and the Micronesian ambassadors and most of their wives from Australia, Japan, China, and of course the United States…flexible, adaptable, Joint, and interagency…Expeditionary Diplomacy.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Our next blog will be posted in a couple of days.
Sincerely,
Commodore Jesse A. Wilson
CAPT Jesse A. Wilson is the mission commander of Pacific Partnership 2011 and Commander, Destroyer Squadron 23 “The Little Beavers.”
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