PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - Petty Officer 2nd Class Ikia Johnson, a native of Macon, Georgia, serves aboard USS Carl Vinson, a U.S. Navy warship operating out of San Diego, California, and participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in and around the Hawaiian Islands.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Marissa Johnson |
Johnson graduated from Memorial High School in 2017.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Macon.
“I learned early on that being hospitable and having good manners will get you far in this world,” said Johnson. “Growing up in Macon also meant I had to learn perseverance. That has motivated me to work harder to stay in the Navy and succeed."
Johnson joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Johnson serves as an aviation support equipment technician.
“I joined the Navy to travel and go to school,” said Johnson. "I have been to three foreign countries and without a doubt Singapore was my favorite."
As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, approximately 29 nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel will participate in RIMPAC 2024. This exercise provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring safety at sea and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 marks the 29th exercise in a series that began in 1971.
The theme of RIMPAC 2024 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared.” The participating nations and forces 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, gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air defense exercises, as well as amphibious, counter-piracy, mine clearance operations, explosive ordnance disposal and diving and salvage operations.
Johnson plays an important role in the exercise.
“RIMPAC has been a learning experience for me,” said Johnson. "I am working the administrative side of the exercise for the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department."
Johnson serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Navy means I am fighting and helping those who can't help themselves,” said Johnson.
Johnson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my family both in and out of the Navy,” added Johnson. "My parents, Duran Johnson Jr., and Latasha Anthony, for their unwavering support. They are the reason I made it this far."
“I would like to go to school to become a registered nurse for pediatrics and if I achieve that goal, I may apply for a commission in the nursing corps,” said Johnson.
Hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2024 will be led by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, Vice Adm. John Wade, who will serve as Combined Task Force (CTF) commander. For the first time in RIMPAC history, a member of the Chilean Navy, Commodore Alberto Guerrero, will serve as deputy commander of the CTF. Rear Adm. Kazushi Yokota of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will serve as vice commander. Other key leaders of the multinational force will include Commodore Kristjan Monaghan of Canada, who will command the maritime component, and Air Commodore Louise Desjardins of Australia, who will command the air component.
During RIMPAC, a network of capable, adaptive partners train and operate together in order to strengthen their collective forces and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. RIMPAC 2024 contributes to the increased interoperability, resiliency and agility needed by the Joint and Combined Force to deter and defeat aggression by major powers across all domains and levels of conflict.
More information about RIMPAC is available here: https://www.cpf.navy.mil/RIMPAC/