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 2013
Livermore High School graduate and Livermore, 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).
Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron
Untalan is an electronics technician aboard USS Lake Erie, currently operating
out of San Diego.
A Navy electronics technician
is responsible for conducting corrective and preventive maintenance on radar, navigation,
and satellite communications systems on the ship.
Untalan applies the lessons
he learned from Livermore to his work in the Navy.
“My dad taught how to be
disciplined and to have a strong work ethic,”
said Untalan.
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 the
time while in port
because I want to enjoy the local attractions as well
as the beaches,” said Untalan.
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 most proud of being able to train the next
generation of sailors and set them up for success,” said Untalan. “I enjoy being a positive role model.”
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,
Untalan and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond
their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I love serving my country
because I love to serve people,” said Untalan.
“Being able to help others
is one my passions.”