Canadian and Chilean Forces Embark USS Pearl Harbor during RIMPAC SOCAL

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Stacy Atkins Ricks | 160726-N-IK388-008 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 26, 2016)—Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Ednito Purog, assigned to amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), gives medics assigned to the Royal Canadian Infantry a tour of the ship’s medical facility during the Southern California portion of Rim of the Pacific 2016. Twenty-six nations, more than 40 ships, five submarines, 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the biennial exercise. RIMPAC, the world’s largest international maritime exercise, is designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships to ensure the safety of sea lanes and security of the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise of the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stacy M. Atkins Ricks/ Released)  

UNITED STATES

07.26.2016

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Stacy Atkins Ricks 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) – Amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) hosted members of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment (2 R22eR) and the 1st Paratrooper Battalion of the Chilean Army for a tour, July 25-26 during the Southern California portion of Rim of the Pacific 2016.

Nearly 150 soldiers and airmen from partner nations, also participating in the RIMPAC 2016, arrived aboard Pearl Harbor for a shipboard familiarization tour to strengthen cooperative partnerships.

“These types of interactions between partner nation forces are essential to interoperability and mission readiness,” said Lt. Walker Adams, Pearl Harbor’s operations officer. “This was a great opportunity for the crew to meet members of foreign services and for their servicemembers to see how we operate at sea.”

In the late afternoon hours of the 25th, RCAF CH-147 Chinook helicopters from 450 Tactical Helicopter Squandron transported Canadian troops to the flight deck of the USS Pearl Harbor. After a muster and safety brief, the guests were escorted to their living spaces, invited to the mess decks and wardroom for meals, and engaged with the ship’s crew.

Over the next 24 hours, Canadian troops observed general ship board operations, flight quarters, and well deck operations including small boat launches and recoveries.

Medical personnel assigned to the RCAF and 2 R22eR were invited to tour the ship’s medical facility. Corporal Martin Herbert of the 2 R22eR was impressed with the ship’s medical treatment facility.

“I was surprised to see how much space the ship had for medical care,” said Herbert. “I loved the way medical was set up and I loved the tour. I would like to be attached to a ship one day.”

“During the time with our partner nations, we were able to share training ideas, see how they conduct their training and the type of certifications they do,” said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Ednito Purog, Pearl Harbor’s medical department leading chief petty officer. “Perhaps it’s something that we can implement to improve how we practice Navy medicine.”

The Canadian, Chilean and U.S. medical teams spent time comparing notes on medical training and treatment and exchanging stories. Purog expressed that recognizing the similarities between the services was significant for him.

“Just in talking about the training that we do and for them to say ‘oh we do the same thing’ was great,” he said. “Overall learning about the service of our partner nation military medical personnel was valuable.”

Not only did was this embarkation a cultural exchange but it also demonstrated the operational capabilities of an embarked amphibious class ship.

“With the additional servicemembers aboard, the ship was able to operate at the capacity to which it was designed,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Ochan Nichols, Pearl Harbor’s combat cargo officer. “That is to accommodate 500 combat ready Marines as a part of a Marine Expeditionary Unit.”

For some of the servicemembers, adjusting to the accommodations proved to be an event within itself, as dining aboard the ship, sleeping, and transiting the passageways was a first time experience.

“This was my first time aboard a ship like this one. I enjoyed watching the flight operations and touring the flight deck,” said Eduardo Bravo, a Soldado Professional, or E-3 equivalent, assigned to the Chilean Army. “I liked how everything was set up especially where we were assigned to eat and sleep. I feel fortunate to have had this opportunity.”

Pearl Harbor is currently underway in the Pacific Ocean as a part of the Southern California portion of Rim of the Pacific 2016. 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.

For more information on RIMPAC 2016, http://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac/
For more information on U.S. Third Fleet, visit www.c3f.navy.mil.

• Date Taken: 07.26.2016
• Date Posted: 08.02.2016 14:06
• Story ID: 205819
• Location: US