By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach
MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Seaman Denver Pascua, a native of Downey, California, 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. Pascua is a logistics specialist responsible for operating financial accounting systems, managing inventories of repair parts and general supplies.
"I work in the barn helping my team receive and inventory the ship's supply," said Pascua.
“I am so proud to be serving alongside Seaman Pascua 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, Pascua and the Pacific Partnership team work together to conduct tailored medical, dental, veterinary, engineering civic action projects, and subject-matter-expert exchanges.
"This is my first deployment and this is an honor to be a part of this ship where the main goal is to provide medical assistance on the other part of the world," said Pascua.
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.
"The Navy provides me a really good opportunity of helping my country and other countries," added Pascua. "I will always have my heart dedicated to the Navy and to serve our country."
