The week-long Pacific Angel 15-4, a joint and combined humanitarian assistance operation, concluded on June 8 in Papua New Guinea. The representatives from the Papua New Guinea Defense Force, Australia, Royal Air Force, Philippines, Indonesia, New Zealand, and 56 US airmen, soldiers, sailors, and marines provided care for 3,859 patients, refurbished three schools for 3,000 students, and helped overhaul two local hospitals, according to a June 10 Pacific Air Forces release. “These projects are visible as an expression of the United States’ commitment to the Asian-Pacific region and demonstrate our continuing resolve to support international disaster and humanitarian relief efforts in this region,” said USAF Brig. Gen. William Burks, Nevada Air National Guard adjutant general, in the release. Burks said Pacific Angel not only “positively impacted the people of Goroka,” it also ensured “a more rapid and integrated response to the next natural disaster or humanitarian assistance crisis.” The humanitarian and civic assistance program is meant to improve military and civilian cooperation between the United States and Pacific partners, states the release. The next PACANGEL will be in the Philippines in August.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.