Friendships Endure: Chillicothe Native Supports Pacific Partnership 2022

By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach

MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Lt. j.g. Abby Laughman, a native of Chillicothe, Missouri, 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. 

Laughman is an operating room nurse responsible for supporting Mercy’s mission by staffing 12 operating rooms with anticipation of orthopedic, general, GYN, ENT, OMFS and pediatric surgery.

"We maintain a readiness at all times for mass causalities," said Laughman.

“I am so proud to be serving alongside Lt. j.g Laughman 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, Laughman and the Pacific Partnership team work together to conduct tailored medical, dental, veterinary, engineering civic action projects, and subject-matter-expert exchanges.

"It’s an honor to play an important role in this exercise because it strengthens our bonds with other countries in providing maritime security around the world," said Laughman.

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.

"Joining the service as a Naval officer was the most monumental thing I’ve ever done," added Laughman. "I’ve learned so much about myself as a person. I’ve pushed my limits with all the outstanding opportunities that have come across. It really has been the most fulfilling and rewarding experience of my life."