Maidenhead born Lieutenant Andrew Duff recently deployed with the US Navy-led Pacific Partnership on the USS Pearl Harbor as part of the world’s largest humanitarian and goodwill mission.

US Navy-led Pacific Partnership is a six-month deployment across swathes of the Pacific –delivering assistance, guidance, training, education, and culture to thousands of people in more than half a dozen nations.

As an officer with the 3^rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS), based in Fort George, Andrew was given the opportunity to deploy with colleagues as part of this partnership.  

During the deployment he provided humanitarian aid/disaster relief guidance and explored potential future security assurance opportunities for the British Army in Fiji and Tonga.

Andrew worked with the heads of the respective national armed forces training teams, learning how they fit into their national disaster response plans, identifying any training opportunities and shortfalls in the process.

Andrew stated: “We were made incredibly welcome by the armed forces in both Fiji and Tonga.”  

“The way their national cultures play into the way they operate was fascinating to see. I loved the opportunity and I hope we can continue to work closely together.”

In summarising his experience on this deployment, which included being hosted by Suva Police Officers and a local Tongan family, Andrew stated:

“Shared values, common history and culture makes engagement with both nation’s armed forces relatively straightforward. There lies terrific opportunity to develop one another’s capabilities through joint training and shared knowledge.”

Since 2022 Andrew has also deployed to Poland as part of the UK's response to the invasion of Ukraine and to Gambia providing short-term tactical training. He will shortly head off to Kenya.