By Navy Office of Community Outreach
PEARL HARBOR – A
2005 Spenceport High School graduate and Rochester, New York 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 Dale
Pettenski is the electronic warfare officer aboard USS Shoup, currently
operating out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
A Navy
electronic warfare officer is responsible for the overall electronic support
protection of the ship and supervising the division of sailors that maintain
and operate the equipment.
“I'm looking
forward to seeing how different nations interact and collaboratively work
together as allies during RIMPAC,” said Pettenski.
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 love the
community aspect of this ship," said Pettenski. "It is one
big family and when we are out on the water we all lean on each other. It is like being in a small town."
Challenging
living conditions build strong fellowship among the crew, Pettenski 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 my
ability to handle pressure and adapt to situations that I may have struggled
with in the past," said Pettenski. "The people forming the
support system around me has helped me become a stronger version of myself."
Additional
information about Rim of the Pacific Exercise is available at http://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac/