Friendships Endure: Anacortes Native Supports Pacific Partnership 2022

By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach

MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Ensign Brooke Riordan, a native of Anacortes, Washington, is serving aboard Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) as part of Pacific Partnership 2022 (PP22), deployed in the Pacific Ocean.

Mercy departed its homeport in San Diego May 3, with more than 800 personnel aboard, including military medical and engineering personnel, support staff, partner nation representatives and civil service mariners to participate in the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission in the Indo-Pacific. Each year the Pacific Partnership staff works collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships. 

Riordan is a Navy Nurse Corps officer serving as a pediatric nurse and family nurse practitioner on board Mercy.

"As a pediatric nurse, I have been tasked with caring for children between the ages of one to 18-years-old," said Riordan. "As a family nurse practitioner, I care for our sailors on board as a primary care provider and urgent care provider."

"I am so proud to be serving alongside Ensign Riordan and this outstanding group of sailors as we support this important mission on the largest floating hospital in the world,” said U.S. Capt. Hank Kim, PP22 mission commander. “I’m looking forward to watching this incredible team forge new friendships and strengthen existing relationships with the nations in Oceania and the Western Pacific.”

At the invitation of host nations, Riordan and the Pacific Partnership team work together to conduct tailored medical, dental, veterinary, engineering civic action projects, and subject-matter-expert exchanges.

"To be able to participate in the Pacific Partnership on one of only two hospital ships, is an incredible opportunity that only few get to experience," said Riordan. "It is a Navy nurse’s dream opportunity to participate in crucial global health engagements. The whole USNS Mercy team will be impacting the lives of those who need it, while serving in uniform."

Pacific Partnership assists local communities with a wide range of services enhancing host nation capabilities, building regional relationships, and exercising a collective ability to respond to situations, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.

"Serving in the Navy has allowed me to join a long lineage of incredible, selfless, dedicated nurses who chose to serve those who risk their life every day in order to spread freedom and democracy around the world," added Riordan. "It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve, and I have enjoyed every minute!"