Altadena Native
Participates in World’s Largest International Maritime Warfare Exercise
By Mass Communication
Specialist 1st Class David Wyscaver, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo by Mass Communication
Specialist 2nd Class Theodore Quintana
PEARL HARBOR – A 2014
Opportunities For Learning High School graduate and Altadena, California native is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of
the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, Rim of the Pacific
(RIMPAC).
Fireman recruit Benjamin
Socop is a damage controlman aboard USS Lake Erie, currently operating out of
San Diego.
A Navy damage controlman is responds to fires, maintaining all of the damage
control equipment and ensuring all of the repair lockers are organized and
clean.
Socop applies the lessons he
learned from Altadena to his work in the Navy.
“My dad taught me to work
hard and helped me develop a strong work
ethic,” said Socop.
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,”
according to Navy officials. 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'm looking forward to
experiencing new things here while in Hawaii,”
said Socop.
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.
“My proudest Navy achievement has been traveling the world,”
said Socop.
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,
Socop and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond
their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“It's important to do your
part in accomplishing the mission,” said Socop.