San Antonio 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 2012 Lady
Bird Johnson High School graduate and San Antonio, 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 Paul
Stevens is an electronics technician aboard USS Lake Erie, currently operating
out of San Diego.
A Navy electronics technician
is responsible for maintaining and preserving
the radar and communication systems on the ship.
Stevens applies the lessons
he learned from San Antonio to his work in the Navy.
“A strong
work ethic is important because people recognize it and value its
importance,” said Stevens.
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
seeing Hawaii because I've never been before,” said Stevens. “I'm
also looking forward to working on my equipment during the exercise.”
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 successfully completing my training
school and being stationed onboard USS Lake Erie,” said Stevens.
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,
Stevens and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond
their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“I enjoy doing my part and
working toward the ultimate goal of helping to keep my country safe,” said
Stevens.