The United States Navy is working with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) at Lae’s Igam Barracks as part of the Pacific Partnership 2025 mission, in a renewed display of military cooperation and regional support. Nearly 500 U.S. personnel are in the country for the program, led by mission commander Lieutenant Drew Howard, working alongside Australian and South Korean forces. [caption id="attachment_68685" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] US Navy Lieutenant Drew Howard[/caption] The partnership focuses on humanitarian assistance, health services, disaster response, and building capacity within PNG’s military systems. “In Lae, we’re working closely with PNG Defence Force doctors and dentists through community health initiatives at Igam Barracks,” said Lt. Howard. “Our goal is to build capacity and strengthen existing systems through practical training and collaboration.” Now in its 21st year, Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multinational humanitarian mission in the Indo-Pacific. This year’s program includes medical outreach, engineering works, and joint military health training. Aside from health initiatives, the mission also supports small-scale infrastructure renovations and community engagement through cultural exchange activities. Lt. Howard emphasized the U.S. commitment to regional security and cooperation: “The Pacific Ocean is shared by all of us—PNG, Australia, Korea, and the U.S. We’re all stakeholders in this region.” The work at Igam highlights a growing defense relationship between PNG and the U.S., as America increases its strategic presence in the Pacific.