Wenonah native participates in world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise
By Chief Mass Communication Specialist John Sorensen, Navy Office of Community Outreach
PEARL HARBOR – A 2008 Gateway Regional High School graduate and Wenonah, New Jersey, native is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC).
Lt. Christina Kako (née Carson) is the chief engineering officer aboard USS William P. Lawrence, currently operating out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
A Navy chief engineering officer is responsible for an entire engineering department, leading a team as they complete various projects.
Today, Kako uses skills and values similar to those learned in Wenonah.
“Growing up in a small town taught me to value the people around me and be able to work with everyone to achieve a greater goal,” said Kako.
As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC 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 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
The theme of RIMPAC 2022 is Capable, Adaptive, Partners. 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.
“I’m looking forward to building our watch-stander proficiencies and practicing working with all the other navies to become better at working together,” said Kako.
Serving in the Navy means Kako is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is important because a lot of our competitors are investing in their surface capabilities, so we have to always be advancing to maintain our capabilities,” said Kako.
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities, and capacity.
“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” said Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”
Hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2022 will be led by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, who will serve as Combined Task Force (CTF) commander. Royal Canadian Navy Rear Adm. Christopher Robinson will serve as deputy commander of the CTF, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Adm. Toshiyuki Hirata as the vice commander, and Fleet Marine Force will be led by U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Joseph Clearfield. Other key leaders of the multinational force will include Commodore Paul O’Grady of the Royal Australian Navy, who will command the maritime component, and Brig. Gen. Mark Goulden of the Royal Canadian Air Force, who will command the air component.
“I was able to meet my personal educational goals while still advancing through my Navy career,” said Kako.
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 2022 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.
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Kako and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means I’ve dedicated myself to a higher purpose and can ensure our freedoms are kept safe,” added Kako.
Haddon Heights native participates in world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise
By Yeoman 1st Class April Copeland, Navy Office of Community Outreach
PEARL HARBOR – A 2014 Baptist Regional School graduate and Haddon Heights, New Jersey, native is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC).
Seaman Morgan Fryer is an operations specialist aboard USS Gridley, currently operating out of Everett, Washington.
A Navy operations specialist is responsible for monitoring service contacts through monitoring radar for potential hazards or threats.
Today, Fryer uses skills and values similar to those learned in Haddon Heights.
“Growing up my mom stressed the importance of eye contact, being respectful and communicating in an effective manner,” said Fryer. “That’s helped me in my career so far,” he said.
As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC 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 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
The theme of RIMPAC 2022 is Capable, Adaptive, Partners. 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.
“The warfare games being played during RIMPAC are extremely intricate, and play a huge role in continuing to develop interoperability with our allies,” said Fryer.
Serving in the Navy means Fryer is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy maintains freedom of navigation on the seas, which is key for international commerce,” said Fryer.
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors, readiness, capabilities, and capacity.
“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” said Gilday. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”
Hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2022 will be led by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, who will serve as Combined Task Force (CTF) commander. Royal Canadian Navy Rear Adm. Christopher Robinson will serve as deputy commander of the CTF, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Adm. Toshiyuki Hirata as the vice commander, and Fleet Marine Force will be led by U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Joseph Clearfield. Other key leaders of the multinational force will include Commodore Paul O’Grady of the Royal Australian Navy, who will command the maritime component, and Brig. Gen. Mark Goulden of the Royal Canadian Air Force, who will command the air component.
“My biggest achievement so far has been building mental strength and confidence I didn’t have prior to joining,” said Fryer.
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 2022 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.
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Fryer and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“Serving in the Navy means being a part of something bigger than myself, and pushing myself to go further and work harder than I ever have before,” added Fryer.
Friendships Endure: Sicklerville native Supports Pacific Partnership 2022
By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach
MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Lt. Xarviera Appling, a native of Sicklerville, New Jersey, is serving with Navy Environmental Preventive Medicine Unit 6 Pearl Harbor, on board Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) as part of Pacific Partnership 2022 (PP22), deployed in the Pacific Ocean.
Mercy departed its homeport in San Diego May 3, with more than 800 personnel aboard, including military medical and engineering personnel, support staff, partner nation representatives and civil service mariners to participate in the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission in the Indo-Pacific. Each year the Pacific Partnership staff works collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships.
Appling is a Navy Nurse Corps officer and Environmental Health/Public Health Planner for medical engagements in the Philippines.
“Our medical planning team works closely with the host nation government and medical personnel,” said Appling. “We plan and coordinate events such as medical training courses, subject matter expert exchanges and direct care consultations in medical facilities on shore and on board USNS Mercy. My specific role for this mission, is to coordinate environmental health and public health events as the subject matter expert for the Philippines.”
“I am so proud to be serving alongside Lt. Appling and this outstanding group of sailors as we support this important mission on the largest floating hospital in the world,” said U.S. Capt. Hank Kim, PP22 mission commander. “I’m looking forward to watching this incredible team forge new friendships and strengthen existing relationships with the nations in Oceania and the Western Pacific.”
At the invitation of host nations, Appling and the Pacific Partnership team work together to conduct tailored medical, dental, veterinary, engineering civic action projects, and subject-matter-expert exchanges.
“I am both honored and humbled to be part of this mission,” said Appling. “As a passionate Public Health officer, I feel the activities we have planned for the Philippines will make a huge impact on the host nation. The experience thus far has been very rewarding.”
Pacific Partnership assists local communities with a wide range of services enhancing host nation capabilities, building regional relationships, and exercising a collective ability to respond to situations, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.
“Serving in the Navy has been quite the experience for me,” added Appling. “Since I transferred from one branch to another, I’ve seen how the branches are so different and have their own distinct opportunities. The Navy has allowed me to see different countries and learn new aspects of public health. Being in the Navy I feel like I’m making an impact, whether it’s in a different country, at home, or on our own turf.”
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