By Navy Office of Community Outreach
PEARL HARBOR – A
2014 Duke High School graduate and North Bend, Washington 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 Zac
Pearlstein is the first lieutenant aboard USS Shoup, currently operating out of
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
A Navy first lieutenant is responsible for supervising the division of sailors responsible
for top side preservation and shipboard evolutions including small boat
operations and underway replenishment.
“I'm looking
forward to operating with other navies, and I'm looking forward to swapping
ship paraphernalia with the foreign sailors during RIMPAC," said Pearlstein. "We'll have the opportunity to tour some of the foreign ships."
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.”
“This is my
first ship and I really like the crew and the size of the ship," said Pearlstein. "Everyone is very well committed and dedicated
to the mission. We make sure everyone is
taken care of and there is a good work and life balance on board."
Challenging
living conditions build strong fellowship among the crew, Pearlstein explained.
The crew is highly motivated, and quickly adapt to changing conditions. It is a
busy life of specialized work, watches, and drills.
“I'm learning
that there is a lot to learn from other people," said Pearlstein. "There is also a wealth of technical knowledge to gain in the Navy. I have greater respect for people around me
and their expertise and dedication to what they do."
Additional
information about Rim of the Pacific Exercise is available at http://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac/