San Jose 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 2012
Homestead High School graduate and San Jose, California 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 Adam
Orrock is a fire controlman aboard USS Lake Champlain, currently operating out
of San Diego, California.
A Navy fire controlman is
responsible for maintaining the firing system of the ship's defense system, ensuring it’s
safe operation.
Orrock is looking forward to
applying the lessons learned from San Jose to working in the Navy.
“I learned the value of
punctuality growing up and that has definitely
carried with me into the Navy,” said Orrock.
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
firing the weapons system that I maintain
during RIMPAC,” said Orrock.
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 provide for my family while
serving on active duty,” said Orrock.
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,
Orrock 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 that I've
become less selfish in the Navy,” said Orrock. "I'm working towards team
goals and family goals instead of just focusing on myself."
“Serving in the Navy means I
get to honor those who've gone before me,”
said Orrock. "Both my uncle and my grandfather were in the Navy, so it
gives me a sense of pride to be able to carry on their legacy."