HM-14 Departs Norfolk for RIMPAC SOCAL

Courtesy Photo | CORONADO, Calif. (June 29, 2016) Three MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters, assigned to the “Mighty Vanguard” of Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HM) 14, arrive at Naval Air Station North Island to take part in the multinational exercise Rim of the Pacific Southern California. Twenty-six nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 30 to Aug. 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Emily Wallis/Released)  

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

06.29.2016

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class James Vazquez 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

NORFOLK, Va. -- Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HM) 14 departed Norfolk en route to Naval Air Station North Island to take part in the multinational exercise Rim of the Pacific Southern California on June 29.

RIMPAC, the world's largest international maritime exercise, provides a unique training opportunity by helping participants foster and sustain cooperative relationships critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans.

RIMPAC SOCAL provides training in a number of areas including mine warfare countermeasures, making HM-14’s participation especially relevant.

“Our squadron has been a staple of RIMPAC and many other multilateral exercises across the globe,” said Cmdr. Derek Brady, commanding officer of HM-14. “This robust and challenging exercise allows us to enhance aircrew training, hone tactics, and validate skillsets that are vital to our mission of being deployable worldwide in a moment’s notice.”

As part of RIMPAC SOCAL, three MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters will take part in simulated mine countermeasures events off the coast of Southern California.

“This year, the Vanguard detachment includes over 150 personnel, along with the proven search, influence, and mine clearance systems to contribute to the MCM exercise,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jeremy Braun, HM-14 Administration officer.

The Navy Air Logistics Office provided support to the aircrews during their three-day, coast-to-coast journey. This, along with Seabee support, gives the detachment the ability to operate with minimal outside support.

“The logistics involved in supporting this exercise is no small feat,” said Braun. “We look forward to a smooth operation that will improve our crews’ capability and skill sets.”


For more information on RIMPAC 2016, visit www.dvidshub.net/feature/RIMPAC.

For more information on U.S. Third Fleet, visit www.c3f.navy.mil.

• Date Taken: 06.29.2016
• Date Posted: 07.05.2016 19:45
• Story ID: 203144
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US