Friendships Endure: Kaneohe Native Supports Pacific Partnership 2022

By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach

MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Lt. j.g. Pauline Gachalian, a native of Kaneohe, Hawaii, is serving with Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command San Diego on board 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. 

Gachalian is responsible for working hand-in-hand with nurses and corpsmen to provide outstanding patient care and education to the host nations Mercy is visiting.

"We do this through esprit de corps, training familiarity with supplies and equipment for various hospital wards, and training drills to improve medical readiness," said Gachalian.

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

"I am extremely lucky to experience the bonds we establish with our partner nations first hand," said Gachalian. "I am humbled to be a part of this global engagement because it allows for further advancement in medical knowledge and skills through international collaboration."

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.

"My dad served in the Navy for 21 years as a Dental Lab Technician, and to be continuing his legacy has been such a meaningful experience," added Gachalian. "It truly warms my heart to know that patients are getting better and thankful for the care they receive. I am proud to be delivering excellent patient care in the Navy with my fellow nurses and corpsmen in multiple settings both locally and internationally."