From inner Sydney to laidback Hawaii –Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 is providing Navy people with great opportunities for both work and leisure.
Able Seaman Dental Assistant Sharni Simpson is posted to HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney where she works out of the dental facility at the base’s medical centre. For RIMPAC however, she deployed in a completely different role as a Battle Watchkeeper Assistant at the RIMPAC Australian National Command Element (ASNCE).
Although the watchkeeper sleeping routine was a new challenge, Able Seaman Simpson said it was an amazing opportunity.
“The role consists of receiving information from people and ships and delegating that information to the correct people within ASNCE, during 12-hour rotational watches,” she said. “My team is also the point of contact for any emergencies and incidents – we are the first to find out. This position has allowed me to get an insight of what it is like working in the wider Navy and has helped me gain further understanding of the requirements and demands our personnel encounter whilst at sea.”
With pandemic restrictions easing in many countries around the world including the USA, opportunities to explore new places are returning for both seagoing and shore-based Navy people.
It’s an opportunity that Simpson took full advantage of, exploring a range of local attractions including historical military memorials and exhibits.
“Back when I was in high school, I learnt about Pearl Harbor and the tragedies that took place here in 1941 - never did I think I would get to come here and pay my respects at the memorials let alone actually work on the island where the devastating attack took place,” she said. “The first things I did were tour the USS Missouri, USS Bowfin and I was also lucky enough to be taken to the USS Arizona Memorial. It was such an eye opener, and an experience I will never forget.”
For some more relaxed downtime, Simpson said swimming is also a must-do activity.
“As it is super-hot here, going to the beach is a must as well as the pool on base - it has a slide!,” she said. “I love the vibe in Hawaii, it is super chill, hot and everybody is so nice! Hawaii is definitely a place you have to come to once in your lifetime.”
Simpson was born and raised on the Gold Coast in Queensland and has family links to Navy through her Great Pop who served aboard HMS Caledon in World War II.
She joined Navy through the Gap Year scheme in 2019 and after a few weeks in Hawaii rates her “shaka” at a 9.5 out of 10.
Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 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 while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
(Story by Royal Australian Navy Lieutenant Max Logan)
| Date Taken: |
07.30.2022 |
| Date Posted: |
08.02.2022 17:40 |
| Story ID: |
426198 |
| Location: |
HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: |
205 |
| Downloads: |
1 |
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