In May 2009, Richard E. Byrd was identified to conduct Pacific Partnership 2009 as a last minute replacement for USS Dubuque, which was sidelined due to an outbreak of H1N1 virus.

Pacific Partnership 2009 visited American Samoa, Tonga, New Caledonia, Kiribati (Tarawa), and the Marshall Islands from June to September.

Richard E. Byrd embarked PHIBRON2 and staff, several NGOs, and allied partners during an at-sea transfer from USNS Amelia Earhart.

After completing the mission, the ship offloaded the embarked crew and Reverse Osmosis Unit and returned normal duties.

Richard E. Byrd completed 16 underway replenishment evolutions, delivering 210,000 US gallons (790,000 L; 170,000 imp gal) of fuel to Tomodachi-support ships.