Month: August 2022

Source: United States Navy

The largest international maritime exercise in the world, RIMPAC gives participants a unique training opportunity while building cooperative relationships amongst countries. These relationships are crucial to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security throughout the world’s oceans. Through the formation of a combined international force, RIMPAC also enhances interoperability across the full spectrum of military operations in the maritime environment.
 
Building Relationships
 
As part of the shore-based activities this year, Navy Reserve Sailors assigned to Reserve Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 22 Seabees joined forces with U.S. Marines and Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy Sailors for several projects on bases around Oahu, ranging from pouring concrete to removing and rebuilding a stairway for safe beach access.
 
“As Seabees, we’re called to build all over the world, and RIMPAC goes a long way in creating trust,” said Equipment Operator 1st Class Richard “Tyler” Rack, from Houston, Texas, assigned to NMCB 22, Detachment 3222. “If we had to go to the Republic of Korea or work with them somewhere, we’ve already established familiarity and a working relationship.”
 
Such familiarity can be as simple as recognizing uniforms from different countries to understanding some of their cultural norms and expectations. It can also pave the way for lasting connections between Sailors and other nations’ service members.
 
“The good thing about working with partner nations is that you build a bond and a relationship with them by showing them how to use different tools and techniques, and showing them that you trust them,” said Steel Worker 3rd Class Alan Hopkins, of Houston, Texas, assigned to NMCB 22, Detachment 3222.
 
By working together and developing mutual trust, American troops and partner nation service members improve their overall knowledge and capabilities.
 
“I like the experience,” said Hopkins. “[Partner nations] have different ideas and techniques, so the good thing about RIMPAC is that they can come here and show us how they do things.”
 
The language barrier, however, can prove challenging for some RIMPAC participants.
 
“A big challenge for us has been having different languages,” Rack said. “Fortunately, America is a diverse nation with many languages, and we have a Sailor in our detachment who speaks Korean. They were able to translate for us, which was so cool.”
 
Along with having bilingual team members, participants adapted using translation apps, and sometimes even resorted to simple gestures to make their point. Despite the language barrier, U.S. and ROK Sailors were able to come together for their builds.
 
“Although the language is different, it seems like we can relate to each other and that’s good,” said ROK Navy Sgt. Major Seougju Yun, assigned to ROK Naval Mobile Construction Squadron 59. “It is very rewarding to see coworkers accomplishing projects. I think that training together can help us be good partners, even in an emergency.”
 
Warfighting Readiness
 
RIMPAC provides Navy Reserve Sailors—who must be ready to mobilize within 72 hours—the opportunity to train to their billet in line with the Chief of Navy Reserve’s Navy Reserve Fighting Instructions.
 
The Fighting Instructions outline four lines of effort to modernize the force:  design, train, mobilize, and develop. The “Train the Force” line of effort, also called, “Mob-to-Billet,” advocates for Sailors to focus on completing the warfighting requirements of their mobilization billet, in addition to readiness requirements.
 
“The RIMPAC experience would absolutely help me be able to mobilize within three days,” said Hopkins. “I can show up and already have some experience working with other nations in a joint [forces] situation, and that’ll be helpful in case I have to go to another country.”
 
RIMPAC is also opportunity for Reserve Sailors to be part of a working unit.
 
“As a Reserve Sailor, my favorite aspect of RIMPAC is to be back in a team environment with a common mission to accomplish,” said Rack. “In my experience, in the civilian sector, you cannot find such a deep level of camaraderie.”
 
Coupled with the fact that many Navy Reserve Sailors have civilian careers different than their Navy specialty, their ability to quickly integrate and adapt to any working environment is impressive.
 
“It amazes me when I show up to a construction project and witness so many of my [Navy Reserve] shipmates, who are very good at their respective rates—for example, as carpenters or equipment operators—and then you ask them what they do on the civilian side, it’s something totally different and yet, they know construction,” said Rack. “They’re teachers, bankers, fitness coaches, and business owners. You might never expect that.”
 
Warfighting readiness and interoperability may be the overall mission of RIMPAC, but the most memorable for most participants is the continued international camaraderie.
 
“The friendships that we have built during harbor phase will lead to lifelong partnerships,” said Vice. Adm. Michael Boyle, U.S. 3rd Fleet commander, who serves as the RIMPAC Combined Task Force commander. “Having a friend that you can call when you need help, that you already know their name, you already know their capability, you already have a rapport—is what RIMPAC is all about.”
 
Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel participated in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California from June 29 to Aug. 4. For health safety reasons, this is the first full-scale RIMPAC exercise since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
 
For more on RIMPAC, check out their social media presence on Facebook and Instagram.
 

Source: United States Navy

ARG flagship Kearsarge, San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24), and Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) arrived in Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Tallinn, Estonia, respectively, demonstrating the United States and like-minded nations’ commitment to preserving security and stability in the region.

The ARG-MEU aggregated in the Baltic Sea for the first time on this deployment after passing through the Danish Straits, August 3. While operating in the Baltic Sea, the Sailors and Marines of the ARG-MEU will have multiple opportunities to foster relationships built on a common foundation of shared values, experiences, and vision for the region and for Europe.

“We are thankful to be welcomed back to the Baltic to further our partnership with our close friends and allies,” said Brig. Gen Andrew Priddy, commanding general, Task Force 61 Naval Amphibious Forces Europe/2d Marine Division (TF 61/2). “We look forward to our future training and cooperation.”

For Kearsarge and Gunston Hall, this marks a return to the Baltic Sea. Both ships participated in the Estonian-led exercise Siil 22 in May and the annual joint, multinational exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS), the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic region, in June. The ships also conducted previous port visits in Helsinki, Stockholm, and Tallinn earlier this year.

This is Arlington’s first time in the Baltic Sea since deploying from the U.S. East Coast. Since arriving in theater, Arlington’s Sailors and Marines have participated in a wide array of bi-lateral and multinational exercises throughout Europe and Africa, including Northern Viking with Iceland, Greece’s exercise Alexander the Great, EFES in Turkey, and African Lion off the coast of Northern Africa.

Arlington’s operations in the Baltic Sea underscore the geographic diversity of the ship’s deployment and highlight the enhanced capability the ARG-MEU team brings to the overall area of operations.

“This is the first opportunity that the Marines on the Arlington have to visit the Baltic,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Myette, executive officer of the 22nd MEU embarked aboard Arlington. “We look forward to enjoying some of the hospitality that our fellow Marines on the other ships enjoyed previously in the deployment. Sweden is a critical partner, and this is a great opportunity for the Marines to experience some of its rich culture before we resume training with our many allies and partners in the Baltic region.”

All three ships recently completed near-simultaneous mid-voyage deployment repair (MDVR) and maintenance periods in Brest, France; Rijeka, Croatia; and Copenhagen and Kalundborg, Denmark. These maintenance periods allowed the ships to accomplish necessary and preventative repairs to continue their missions in the region while simultaneously strengthening relationships with host nations.

“Taking time to conduct MDVRs to maintain and repair safety and mission-essential equipment aboard the ARG ships was crucial to ensure a successful continuation of the ARG’s deployment throughout Sixth Fleet,” Capt. Paige Sherman, U.S. Sixth Fleet’s Director Logistics (N41), said. “The deliberate maintenance and logistics efforts in these locations were challenging, but across the board, the pursuit to continuously work and develop relationships with our partners expands the readiness posture of our ships and strengthens interoperability with our Allies.”

While pierside, the ARG-MEU Sailors and Marines will have the opportunity to explore the port cities of various allied and partner nations, gaining a deeper historical and cultural appreciation of the nations in the region while fostering interpersonal relationships and enjoying some rest and reset time.

The Kearsarge ARG and embarked 22nd MEU are under the command and control of Task Force 61/2. The ARG consists of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3); San-Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24); and Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LDS 44). Embarked commands with the Kearsarge ARG include Amphibious Squadron SIX, 22nd MEU, Fleet Surgical Team 2, Fleet Surgical Team 4, Tactical Air Control Squadron 22, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, Assault Craft Unit 2, Assault Craft Unit 4, Naval Beach Group 2, and Beach Master Unit 2.

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with our Allies and Partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

Source: United States Navy

Frank Cable hosted discussions with Indian naval officers on the submarine tender’s expeditionary repair, rearm, and resupply capabilities and efforts to support improved platform interoperability. Additionally, Frank Cable provided a tour for local print media outlets and conducted an exchange between students of the English Access Microscholarship Program and U.S. Navy female leaders onboard, both officer and enlisted. Access is a program focused on English language learning for female university students.

“This visit reflects the strength and commitment of our relationship with the Indian Navy,” said Capt. John Frye, Frank Cable’s commanding officer. “It also advances cooperation and interoperability between our Navies, as professional engagements as these allow us to learn from each other.”

Frank Cable also hosted a bilateral dinner onboard the ship. Attendees included 29 guests from various subordinate commands of the Indian Navy Eastern Naval Command and representatives from the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad.

“It was an honor to host the bilateral dinner onboard our ship,” said Frye. “Our visit contributed to providing additional options for supporting submarines and surface combatants in the Pacific theater, and we enjoyed the opportunity to present our submarine tender’s unique expeditionary capabilities and reinforce our strong relationship with the Indian Navy.”

The visit to the eastern Indian city also allowed the ship’s crew opportunities to participate in multiple community outreach events. Sailors played sports with the children at the Ken Foundation Government Children Home for Boys and participated in a tree planting ceremony with female cadets of the National Cadet Corps at Andrha University.

Frank Cable is currently on patrol conducting expeditionary maintenance and logistics in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

For more information about Frank Cable visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/FrankCableAS40.