PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - Lt. j.g. Eryn Orchekowski, a native of Reedsville, Wisconsin, serves aboard USS Gridley, a U.S. Navy warship operating out of Everett, Washington, and participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in and around the Hawaiian Islands.
Orchekowski graduated from Roncalli High School in 2017.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Reedsville.
“Reedsville gave me the drive to succeed and make a difference,” said Orchekowski. “In my hometown, I got involved in softball and basketball, which helped give me the drive I have today.”
Orchekowski joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Orchekowski serves as an anti-submarine warfare officer.
“I joined the Navy to start my career with unique experiences and gain valuable leadership skills,” said Orchekowski. “I’ve always wanted to serve, and I preferred the Navy’s ports over those of other branches. I really liked the idea of exploring the world.”
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.
Orchekowski plays an important role in the exercise.
“While standing bridge watch during RIMPAC, I’ve had the opportunity to witness all these countries come together to complete the same mission,” said Orchekowski. “Being involved in the process, you see that communication is key to success, and it’s inspiring to witness all these different cultures coming together.”
Orchekowski 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 is an opportunity for me to contribute to my country and make a positive impact on the lives of my sailors,” said Orchekowski. “Seeing my sailors succeed is the most rewarding aspect of my job.”
Orchekowski is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“My family has been crucial during the challenging transition from student to officer,” added Orchekowski. “Their unwavering support has been the cornerstone of my success.”
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/
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Isaiah Williams |
Orchekowski graduated from Roncalli High School in 2017.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Reedsville.
“Reedsville gave me the drive to succeed and make a difference,” said Orchekowski. “In my hometown, I got involved in softball and basketball, which helped give me the drive I have today.”
Orchekowski joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Orchekowski serves as an anti-submarine warfare officer.
“I joined the Navy to start my career with unique experiences and gain valuable leadership skills,” said Orchekowski. “I’ve always wanted to serve, and I preferred the Navy’s ports over those of other branches. I really liked the idea of exploring the world.”
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.
Orchekowski plays an important role in the exercise.
“While standing bridge watch during RIMPAC, I’ve had the opportunity to witness all these countries come together to complete the same mission,” said Orchekowski. “Being involved in the process, you see that communication is key to success, and it’s inspiring to witness all these different cultures coming together.”
Orchekowski 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 is an opportunity for me to contribute to my country and make a positive impact on the lives of my sailors,” said Orchekowski. “Seeing my sailors succeed is the most rewarding aspect of my job.”
Orchekowski is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“My family has been crucial during the challenging transition from student to officer,” added Orchekowski. “Their unwavering support has been the cornerstone of my success.”
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/