GULF OF ALASKA - A Gambell, Alaska, native and 2015 Wasilla High School graduate is serving aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), which is currently participating in Exercise Northern Edge 2019 (NE19) in the Gulf of Alaska.
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Airman Recruit Adam John Apangalook is responsible for conducting preventive maintenance in the ship’s air department.Apangalook credits his success in the Navy to his close-knit family in Wasilla.
“The person who influenced me the most was my grandpa,” said Apangalook. “Like me, he was in the military and seeing the success and discipline it brought him, pushed me to join.”
NE19 is the largest joint military training exercise on and above central Alaska ranges and the Gulf of Alaska, which prepares joint forces to respond to crises in the Indo-Pacific.
“We are excited to be in the Gulf of Alaska, especially since this marks the first time in 10 years that a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier is participating in Northern Edge,” said Rear Adm. Daniel Dwyer, Commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine. “Alaska is a strategic location, and joint operations and exercises here are essential to the nation’s commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”
The exercise, hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces, is being conducted in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, which encompasses more than 60,000 miles of airspace throughout Alaska, and includes support infrastructure from two Air Force bases. Along with Theodore Roosevelt, select ships from Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG-9) joined U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and Marine Corps service members during the exercise.
“We’re going outside of our working area. It’s a little colder than we’re used to, but it’s a good thing,” said Cmdr. Silas Bouyer, operations officer of Theodore Roosevelt. “We’ve got to be fully operational, not just when it’s sunny in San Diego.”
The exercise consists of approximately 10,000 active, reserve, and National Guard, Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, and includes scenarios for defensive air combat, close air support, and aerial deterrence of maritime forces.
“Our role in this exercise is to bring multi-capable national assets to an exercise that will improve joint warfighting capabilities,” said Lt. Roger Kim, tactical action officer of Theodore Roosevelt.
NE19 provides Theodore Roosevelt personnel and Carrier Air Wing 11 an opportunity to sharpen their skills and to practice operations and techniques. Also, it allows the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group a chance to strengthen relationships with non-Navy commands and to develop cooperative plans and programs with these organizations.
Participants of NE19 are serving as part of a joint task force, which provides support to multi-service integration and exercises a wide range of joint capabilities.
“It’s important because when we deploy, no matter where we deploy, it’s not just a Navy event,” said Bouyer. “We’ll operate with the Air Force airmen, soldiers from the Army, and Marines. If you never spend any time working with those services and then we deploy, it makes having that conversation a whole lot harder if you haven’t trained with them at some point in time during the workup cycle.”
Bouyer also acknowledged the importance of Roosevelt Sailors being mission-ready on a moment’s notice.
“If something were to happen, we’ll be ready for it,” said Bouyer. “There’s no second guessing or second thoughts. We’ll be fully prepared and ready and I think it’s because we’re doing something operational.”
The additional time at sea also gives Roosevelt’s crew more opportunities to obtain qualifications and time to get more comfortable in their roles.
“Sometimes you can only perform operational checks while we’re underway,” said Cmdr. Robert B. Beeman, combat direction center officer of Theodore Roosevelt. “Being underway helps with grooming our systems and making sure they’re up to speed.”
As a member of Roosevelt during an important exercise, Apangalook and other TR Sailors know they are part of a legacy which will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“The Navy has brought me friendships that will last a lifetime,” said Apangalook. “Also, I am seeing all walks of life and the traveling has changed me.”
Alongside Theodore Roosevelt, participating ships from Carrier Strike Group 9 include USS Russel (DDG 59), USS John Finn (DDG 113), and USS Kidd (DDG 100).