Erie Native
Participates in World’s Largest International Maritime Warfare Exercise
By Mass Communication
Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo by Mass Communication
Specialist Senior Chief Gary Ward
PEARL HARBOR – A 2015 General
McClain High School graduate and Erie, Pennsylvania native is serving in the
U.S. Navy as part of the world’s largest international maritime warfare
exercise known as the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC).
Petty Officer 3rd Class Jared
Heath is a aviation electronics technician attached to Helicopter Maritime
Squadron 78, currently operating out of San Diego, California.
He is responsible for maintaining the electrical
components of the two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters on the ship, ensuring they are
always ready for missions.
Heath is looking forward to
applying the lessons learned from Erie to working in the Navy.
“When I was young, I would
always help out my grandparents with work that they needed. That instilled a
strong work ethic in me,” said Heath. "It's helped me succeed in the Navy."
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 will 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
amphibious operations, gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air defense
exercises, as well as counter-piracy, mine clearance operations, explosive
ordnance disposal and diving and salvage operations.
“I'm looking forward to
seeing different nature sites in Hawaii,” said Heath. "This is my third
time here, so I'm going to try to go on more
hikes and experience the island's natural beauty."
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.
This year will also feature live firing of a Long Range
Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) from a U.S. Air Force aircraft, surface to ship
missiles by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and a Naval Strike Missile
(NSM) from a launcher on the back of a Palletized Load System (PLS) by the U.S.
Army. This marks the first time a land based unit will participate in the live
fire event during RIMPAC. RIMPAC 2018 will also include international band
engagements and highlight fleet innovation during an Innovation Fair.
“I'm proud of earning "champ of the week" on my ship this
year, for being the top sailor for a whole week on the ship,” said Heath.
Twenty-six nations, 46
surface ships, five submarines, 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, Brazil, 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,
Heath and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond
their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I've learned the value of
patience in the Navy. I can interact with
people a lot better than I used to,” said Heath.
Serving in the Navy gives me the opportunity to jump
start my life. Whether or not I stay in
the Navyor, I know my life will be better because
of the opportunities the Navy has given me."