English: MSC dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Richard E. Byrd sits pierside in Upolu, Samoa, during Pacific Partnership 2009, a humanitarian and civic assistance mission.

UPOLU, Samoa (July 3, 2009) USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) sits pier side during Pacific Partnership 2009. The U.S. Navy's Pacific Partnership is the dedicated humanitarian and civil assistance mission conducted by, with and through partner nations, non-governmental organizations and other U.S. and international government agencies to execute a variety of humanitarian civic action missions in the Pacific Fleet area of responsibility. This year Pacific Partnership will travel to Oceania, including Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga. The Richard E. Byrd serves as the enabling platform for U.S. and partner nation military and non-governmental organizations to coordinate humanitarian civic assistance efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Valcarcel/Released)