By Navy Office of Community Outreach
PEARL HARBOR – A
2008 North Middle High School graduate and Barnwell, South Carolina native is serving in
the U.S. Navy and is participating in the world’s largest international
maritime warfare exercise, the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC).
Seaman Jimmie
Owens is serving aboard USS Shoup, currently operating out of Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii.
A Navy seaman is
responsible for shipboard operations to include refueling, small boat and
helicopter flight operation as well as ship preservation. Owens is also part of
the first response team for security reactions aboard the ship.
“I'm looking
forward to developing a better understanding of how our ship operates alongside
other nations during RIMPAC,” said Owens.
According to
Navy officials, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps
participants foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to
ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC
2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
The theme of
RIMPAC 2016 is "Capable, Adaptive, Partners," Navy officials
explained. 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.
The Department
of the Navy's Great Green Fleet yearlong initiative will also play a major role
in RIMPAC. The initiative highlights global operations using energy
conservation measures and alternative fuel blends to demonstrate how optimizing
energy use increases resiliency and operational readiness. During RIMPAC,
almost all participating units will operate using an approved alternate-fuel
blend.
26 nations, 45
surface ships, 5 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, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark,
France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands,
New Zealand, Norway, People's Republic of China, Peru, the Republic of Korea,
the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom
and the United States.
“Shoup sailors are taking part in RIMPAC 2016 and the missions they will be planning and executing are nothing short of awesome," said Cmdr. Jason E. Rogers, commanding officer of USS Shoup. "As captain, USS Shoup and the warfighting functions it is responsible for represent my domain. Fortunately, I am blessed with the talent and warrior spirit of 300 plus sailors who strive to exercise professional mastery and control over each and every one of those domains. Our sailors constantly challenge themselves and each other to know and do more.”
“I have great
leadership on this ship," said Owens. "There is a good amount of discipline that has
helped me to learn new things each day and continue to better myself."
Challenging
living conditions build strong fellowship among the crew, Owens explained. The
crew is highly motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a
busy life of specialized work, watches, and drills.
“The Navy has
taught me that there is a bigger world out here and there are so many
opportunities," said Owens. "I just have to take
initiative and take charge to take advantage of everything the world has to
offer."
Additional
information about Rim of the Pacific Exercise is available at http://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac/