PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - Airman Liam Myroth-Erlandson, a native of DeKalb, Illinois, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) Eight "Eightballers," an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter squadron 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 1st Class Patricia Elkins, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Myroth-Erlandson graduated from DeKalb High School in 2024 and joined the Navy one year ago.
“My father and several members of my family served in the military, and they inspired me to follow in their footsteps,” Myroth-Erlandson said. “After high school, I struggled to find the right career path, and my father encouraged me to join the Navy.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in DeKalb.
“Growing up, my dad taught me the importance of having a strong work ethic by helping around the house and always giving my best effort,” Myroth-Erlandson said. “He also reminded me never to give up when faced with challenges.”
Today, Myroth-Erlandson serves as an aviation ordnanceman.
As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, 31 nations, approximately 40 surface ships, five submarines, 14 national land forces, over 140 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel will participate in RIMPAC 2026. 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 2026 marks the 30th exercise in a series that began in 1971.
The theme of RIMPAC 2026 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.
It is fitting that the world’s premier maritime exercise occurs as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary. For 250 years, the United States has built relationships with international partners based on trust, cooperation, and shared values. RIMPAC is where that trust is put into practice, strengthening the people-to-people relationships that are the bedrock of all the nations’ collective security.
Myroth-Erlandson plays an important role in the exercise.
“RIMPAC has been an incredible experience,” Myroth-Erlandson said. “Coming from a small rural town, traveling to Hawaii, serving aboard a ship, and seeing so many nations working together has been eye-opening. My primary responsibility is maintaining the weapons systems and ordnance used on our helicopters, ensuring they are safe, reliable, and mission-ready.”
Myroth-Erlandson 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 has helped me become a better person by teaching me discipline, responsibility, and confidence,” Myroth-Erlandson said. “It also means knowing that what we do every day helps protect our nation and keeps the people back home safe.”
Myroth-Erlandson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I would like to thank my dad for raising me with strong values, teaching me the importance of hard work, and reminding me never to take what I have for granted,” Myroth-Erlandson said. “I would also like to thank my high school teacher, Mr. Laben, for encouraging me to stay on the right path, keeping me focused, and helping me graduate. I am currently working toward earning my plane captain qualification so I can continue expanding my knowledge, supporting my squadron, and growing as a Sailor.”
Hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2026 will be led by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, Rear Adm. Richard Meyer, who will serve as Combined Task Force (CTF) commander. Chile will fill the role of deputy commander of the CTF, and Japan will fill the role of vice commander. The Republic of Korea will command the maritime component, and Canada 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 2026 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/