Keller 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
Northwest High School graduate and Keller, Texas native is serving in the U.S.
Navy as part of the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise,
Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC).
Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonny
Anderson is a Naval aircrewman (tactical helicopter) aboard USS Lake Erie,
currently operating out of San Diego.
A Naval
aircrewman (tactical helicopter) is
responsible for operating the sensors on
MH-60R helicopters and performing duties as a search and rescue swimmer.
Anderson applies the lessons
he learned from Keller to his work in the Navy.
“Having a positive attitude
about everything that you take on is important because not only is it
beneficial to yourself but others recognize and appreciate it,” said Anderson.
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
building relationships with other countries,” said Anderson.
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 is being recognized as sailor of the week by the admiral
in charge of Carrier Strike Group One,” said Anderson.
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,
Anderson and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond
their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means being away from family and knowing
that you're putting country first,” said Anderson.