By
Navy Office of Community Outreach
PEARL HARBOR – A
2010 Rocky Mountain High School graduate and Fort Collins, Colorado 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).
Ensign Jocelyn
Bryant is a weapons officer aboard USS Chung-Hoon, currently operating out of
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
A Navy weapons
officer is responsible for the division of sailors that operate and maintain
shipboard weapons systems. She is also
responsible for serving as officer of the deck and ensuring the safe navigation
of the ship while underway.
“I can’t wait for the live-fire exercises during RIMPAC,”
said Bryant. “I am also looking forward
to the submarine hunting practice.”
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.
“RIMPAC demonstrates the value of capable maritime partners,” said Cmdr. Tom Ogden, commanding officer of USS Chung-Hoon. “It’s an honor for our sailors to participate in this unmatched exercise. Our crew looks forward to building relationships and interoperability with our partner nations.”
“I’m learning everything,” said Bryant. “Once
I’m a qualified surface warfare officer, I’ll think inside and outside the box,
continuing to learn how to maximize my ship’s warfighting capability.”
Challenging
living conditions build strong fellowship among the crew, Bryant explained. The
crew is highly motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a
busy life of specialized work, watches, and drills.
“While serving in the Navy, I’ve learned
that the only thing limiting myself, is myself,” said Bryant. “You have to tell yourself you can do it.”
Additional
information about Rim of the Pacific Exercise is available at http://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac/