By
Navy Office of Community Outreach
PEARL HARBOR – A 2010 West Covina High School graduate and
West Covina, California 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).
Petty Officer 3rd Class Randall Staana is an aviation support
equipment technician aboard USS America, currently operating out of
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
As a Navy aviation support equipment technician Staana is responsible for equipment that helps the flight deck
handle aircraft as well as operate, maintain, repair and test aircraft electrical
systems and gasoline and diesel systems associated with aircraft.
“There are many moving parts,” said Staana. “We always have
something to do. We are like auto mechanics. The people I work with have become
very close. We have a tight group.”
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.
“I’ve been particularly excited about this opportunity. We’ve just come out of a lengthy period of maintenance,” said Capt. Michael W. Baze, Commanding Officer of USS America. “Our sailors knew this was coming and that it is a unique experience to exercise our abilities while building our connections with allies. RIMPAC gives us the opportunity to strengthen our bond with these navies in addition to sending a message to the world about our collective strength. Our crew is mostly under the age of 30 and something like this offers a tremendous opportunity for them.”
“We get put in the spotlight aboard USS America mostly
because of the name of our ship, our country’s name,” said Staana. “People know what we’re doing, where we are
going, and what we have already accomplished. This is my first ship, and I’ve
had a very productive tour.”
Challenging living conditions build strong fellowship among
the crew, Staana explained. The crew is highly motivated, and quickly adapt to
changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches, and
drills.
“At first, the Navy was educational,” said Staana. “Then some traveling gave me a new perspective
on the goals I was setting. I want to go back to school and get a degree in
physical therapy, with an emphasis on sports medicine.”
Additional information about Rim of the Pacific Exercise is
available at http://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac/