SANGIHE, Indonesia - Members of the Pacific Partnership 2012 Surgical team broke the record for total surgeries performed in a single day aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), June 12.

The 26 surgical cases included cataract, thyroid, corroded and facial gland, and orthopedic bone cases.

“This is a perfect example of what Pacific Partnership is all about,” said Cmdr. Matthew Provencher, director for Surgical Services aboard USNS Mercy. “It shows the ability of those involved to come together to achieve world-class surgical care for the host nation.”

Six members of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) worked with USNS Mercy’s medical team to make the achievement possible.

“It’s amazing how people who speak different languages and work in different operating rooms around the world are able to provide meaningful care to help change the lives of these patients who we are fortunate enough to care for,” said Provencher.

Now in its seventh year, Pacific Partnership is an annual U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance mission that brings together U.S. military personnel, host and partner nations, non-government organizations and international agencies to build stronger relationships and develop disaster response capabilities throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

For more information about the PP12 mission, please visit the Pacific Partnership Blog or engage with Pacific Partnership on Facebook and Twitter.