Alpena Native
Participates in World’s Largest International Maritime Warfare Exercise
By Mass Communication
Specialist 1st Class Electa Berassa, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo by Mass Communication
Specialist Senior Chief Gary Ward
PEARL HARBOR – An Alpena,
Michigan native is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of the world’s largest
international maritime warfare exercise, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC).
Seaman Recruit Jacob Jackson
is a culinary specialist aboard USS New Orleans, currently operating out of San
Diego, California.
A Navy culinary specialist is
responsible for preparing and cooking meals for all personnel on the ship.
Jackson applies the lessons
he learned from Alpena to his work in the Navy.
“Embrace all the hardships and
they’ll help you get through anything,” said Jackson.
As the world’s largest
international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity
that helps participants foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are
critical to ensuring safety at sea and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC
2018 is the 26th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
The theme of RIMPAC 2018 is
Capable, Adaptive, Partners. The participating nations and forces exercise a
wide range of capabilities and demonstrate the inherent flexibility of maritime
forces. These capabilities range from disaster relief and maritime security
operations to sea control and complex warfighting. The relevant, realistic
training program includes, gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air defense
exercises, as well as amphibious, counter-piracy, mine clearance operations,
explosive ordnance disposal and diving and salvage operations.
“I hope to gain experience of RIMPAC and the fun history of it all,” said
Jackson.
This is the first time Israel, Sri Lanka and Vietnam are
participating in RIMPAC. Additional firsts include New Zealand serving as sea
combat commander and Chile serving as combined force maritime component
commander. This is the first time a non-founding RIMPAC nation (Chile) will
hold a component commander leadership position.
“I’m proud to have gotten through boot camp and “A” school,” said Jackson.
Twenty-six nations, 46
surface ships, five submarines, and more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel
will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific Exercise. This year's
exercise includes forces from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia,
France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the
Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom, the
United States and Vietnam.
As a member of the U.S. Navy,
Jackson and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond
their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I have learned that I’m more social since
joining the Navy and it has made me break out of my shell,” said
Jackson. “Also, I hope to be a chief like my
great grandfather or a lieutenant commander like my uncle, who both served in the Navy.”