Spring 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 2002 Crown Point High School in Indiana graduate and
Spring, Texas 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).
Senior Chief Petty Officer Joseph
Gerischer is a sonar technician aboard USS Lake Champlain, currently operating
out of San Diego, California.
A Navy sonar technician is
responsible for managing the undersea warfare systems
and computers on the ship.
Gerischer is looking forward
to applying the lessons learned from Spring to working in the Navy.
“I've been in management
positions since I was 15 years old, so I've always given everything my all,”
said Gerischer. "I've always believed that you
should give everything you have everyday.”
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
interacting with the foreign navies and seeing
their thought process when it comes to undersea warfare,” said Gerischer.
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 of being able to start a family in the Navy,”
said Gerischer. "I'm also proud of being able to make senior chief petty
officer in only thirteen years. I’m also proud to be able to see all parts of the
world."
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,
Gerischer 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 the value of
patience in the Navy. Patience in leadership and allowing sailors to develop is a process. Also, having the patience to allow them to grow is
key to being a successful leader,” said Gerischer. “To
know I started something and I’ve been able to see it all the way through is a
huge self accomplishment. The Navy has also given me the opportunity to give back to my family."