Vietnamese and US soldiers practice disaster and epidemic response

The two sides met to discuss the Pacific Friends agenda.

Experts from Vietnam and the United States demonstrated the application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAS) in disaster prevention. US forces directly trained how to operate RQ-20B, RQ-28A, combined with digital map data, and simulated rescue in urban flooding situations.

Regarding long-range communications, the two sides discussed the possibility of multi-layer connectivity in disasters, tested planning tools and simulated map exercises. US experts also shared techniques for neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs), global trends in the use of robots and X-ray systems. The Vietnamese side introduced practical UXO handling options.

Doctors and veterinary experts from both countries focused on diseases transmitted from animals to humans such as rabies, avian influenza, and African swine fever under the “One Health” strategy.

Previously, on the evening of September 9, in Dong Ha ward, the People's Committee of Quang Tri province coordinated with the US Embassy in Vietnam to organize the opening ceremony of the Pacific Friends Program 2025. This is a multinational humanitarian training and support activity, initiated after the 2004 tsunami disaster.

Pacific Friends 2025 Program is vibrant and practical

Over nearly two weeks, the program included 13 activities in four areas: humanitarian assistance, health , disaster response and infrastructure construction.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Hoang Nam, Standing Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People's Committee, affirmed that the event is a strong message of peace, cooperation and sustainable development. US Ambassador Marc Evans Knapper emphasized that civil and humanitarian projects will foster trust and bring practical benefits to the people.

Pacific Friends 2025 in Quang Tri brings together 120 US military personnel along with Vietnamese officers, soldiers and experts from the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and Quang Tri province. The parties coordinate disaster rescue exercises, long-range communications, bomb and mine disposal, and animal disease surveillance. The activity demonstrates the Vietnam-US bond in disaster response, community protection and strengthening comprehensive humanitarian and defense cooperation.

MINH PHONG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/quan-nhan-viet-nam-va-my-dien-tap-ung-pho-tham-hoa-dich-benh-post812362.html