Monongahela 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 2009
Ringgold High School graduate and Monongahela, 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).
Seaman Luke Oberle is a
gunner's mate aboard USS Lake Champlain, currently operating out of San Diego,
California.
A Navy gunner's mate is
responsible for monitoring and regulating the temperature
of the ship's weapons magazines, in order to keep the weapons operational. They
also maintain the crew-served weapons mounts on the ship.
Oberle is looking forward to
applying the lessons learned from Monongahela to working in the Navy.
“I learned the importance of
cleanliness growing up,” said Oberle. "Cleanliness is important in the
Navy and maintaining a good work center is vital to the mission."
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 the different sites while here in
Hawaii,” said Oberle. "It's my third time here, and I try to see different
parts of the island every time I come here."
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 to be able to graduate boot camp,” said
Oberle. "My recruit division
commanders helped
me out every time I needed a push, and I was able to find that resolve and
finish."
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,
Oberle and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond
their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Since I've been in the Navy,
I've learned that I can do anything I put my mind to,” said Oberle. “Serving in
the Navy gives me the opportunity for a better life. I'm always looking to
further my education, and the Navy gives me that chance. I want to be an
anesthesiologist one day. Having the opportunity
that the Navy provides me to be able to go to school debt free is amazing."