U.S. Navy-led Pacific Partnership 2026 returns to Timor-Leste
DÍLI, 14 August 2026 (TATOLI) – The U.S. Navy-led Pacific Partnership 2026 mission returns to Dili August 13-26, marking the mission’s eighth visit to the country.
This year’s mission brings together service members from Timor-Leste, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, and the United States to strengthen regional interoperability, enhance disaster preparedness capabilities, and deepen partnerships across the Indo-Pacific.
It also highlights Timor-Leste’s October 2025 accession as the newest member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In Timor-Leste, Pacific Partnership personnel will work alongside the Timor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL), Timorese experts, and nonprofit organizations to exchange knowledge, increase mutual understanding, and strengthen resilience and shared capacity to respond to disasters.
“Pacific Partnership reflects America’s enduring commitment to Timor-Leste and the Timorese people,” said U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Bruce Begnell. “This year, we are proud to work with multiple ministries across the Government of Timor-Leste to enhance professional medical services and strengthen disaster management capacity. We are honored to partner with Timorese counterparts across government, the private sector, and civil society to advance the government’s top priorities. Together, we are strengthening Timor-Leste’s disaster response capabilities, delivering essential services, and improving the quality of life for communities across the country. This mission demonstrates that our ongoing partnership with Timor-Leste is built to last.”
The August 13 opening ceremony in Dili featured a cultural performance, friendly soccer match, and remarks by F-FDTL Chief of Defense Lt. Gen. Falur Rate Laek and U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Taylor, commander of Logistics Group Western Pacific and Task Force 73.
“Pacific Partnership demonstrates what nations can accomplish when we invest in relationships before disasters occur,” said Rear Admiral Taylor. “Our return to Timor-Leste for an eighth iteration reflects more than two decades of friendship built on mutual respect and shared experiences. Every exchange during the mission stop provides an opportunity to learn from one another, strengthen our collective readiness, and build the trust required to respond together when our nations need us most.”
The U.S. Navy Seabees, from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Five and Amphibious Construction Battalion One, will work shoulder to shoulder with Timorese builders to construct a new two-classroom schoolhouse at the primary school Ensinu Baziku Filial (EBF) Mota Ulun, along with classroom renovations and facility improvements at EBF Kasnafar. Medical professionals will conduct exchanges in optometry, dentistry, and rehabilitation. Disaster management specialists will lead a multi-day warehouse assessment, simulation exercise, and two Civil Protection Authority events. The Pacific Partnership Band will also perform at Universidade da Paz (UNPAZ), Timor Plaza Night Market, and local schools.
Through collaboration with local counterparts, Pacific Partnership builds lasting capacity, resilience, and disaster preparedness that will extend well beyond the mission’s conclusion.
“We are honored to be welcomed by the people of Timor-Leste as we continue Pacific Partnership 2026,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Al-Qumar Atkins, officer in charge of the Timor-Leste mission. “Every line of effort has worked tirelessly to prepare for this mission, and we are excited to work alongside our Timorese partners to strengthen the relationships that make our nations more resilient. At its heart, Pacific Partnership is about people – building trust, sharing knowledge, and fostering lasting partnerships that help our communities prepare for future challenges together.”
Established after the U.S. military’s response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Pacific Partnership has grown into the U.S. Navy’s largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster preparedness mission in the Indo-Pacific, focused on medical cooperation, engineering, disaster management, and community outreach.
U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. U.S. Pacific Fleet delivers combat-ready naval forces to defend the homeland and U.S. interests, provide credible deterrence, and strengthen U.S. alliances and partnerships to ensure a secure and prosperous region.
TATOLI
