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Foreword

Northeast Asia Engagement ::

People's Republic of China and U.S. Forces Enhancing Maritime Safety Throughout the Asia-Pacific Region

Proliferation Security Initiative Activities Attract International Interest

Cooperative Understanding ::

Cambodia-U.S. Navies Conduct Historic Exchange

Regional Response Forces ::

Indian, Canadian and U.S. Forces Partner for a Safer Asia-Pacific Region

RIMPAC 2006:
Fostering Regional Peace and Security

Philippine-U.S. Forces Building Interoperability and Goodwill

Happenings ::

Happenings

Air Operations
Command and Control
Australian, Canadian, ROK and U.S. military members at Hickam Air Force Base’s Pacific Air Operations Center (PAOC) in the General George C. Kenney Headquarters (KHQ) provided command and control for more than 200 sorties per day. At first, this presented some challenges. “We speak different languages, and we found out initially that we have different acronyms for things, but that all those things are easily overcome,” said Brig. Gen. Greg Ihde, KHQ vice commander and PAOC commander. “That’s why we practice; that’s why we have exercises.  That’s why it’s important to work together – not only with our Navy brothers and sisters here, but also with our coalition partners.”

  The key to success in a multinational environment like this is communication. “A couple of people I’ve tried to talk to have had difficulty understanding me because of my Australian accent, which I find of course very hard to understand,” laughed Australian Group Capt. Tony Needham, one of the combined air operations directors. “But communicating is the key.  We learn how to communicate with [U.S. forces] better in a systems way, and we learn how to communicate better people-to-people,” he said. “When we go home we’ll know people here. And if we have to solve problems in the future, we’ll know who to call at Hickam to solve problems.”

The exercise proved helpful for airmen. Canadian Capt Yuri Mokievsky-Zubok, an F-18 pilot with about six months of experience, said “Going through the training that I do go through, you learn that [the PAOC] does exist and that this is where all the orders come from. I’m learning quite a bit and seeing how the process actually comes together.”

Allied Navies Control
Supply Sea Lanes
Coalition building is a prime RIMPAC objective, and that was evident within the logistical support arm of the exercise. A coalition of Australian, Canadian and U.S. sailors controlled the flow of materials and critical parts throughout the exercise. Their efforts allowed dozens of operations held almost daily to run smoothly. It was a daunting task, not only because of the size of RIMPAC, but also because it involved coordinating with eight independent navies – each with different systems, assets and languages. “The success of this RIMPAC is that it is truly a coalition in nature to keep those parts moving,” said Canadian Navy Lt. Chris Angerman.

One Australian and one Canadian Navy officer were the material control officers onboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), which was one of two logistics hubs for RIMPAC 2006. The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) was the other. The material control officers managed the distribution network that included critical parts and materials flown to the carriers as needed to keep participating ships and aircraft operating.

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Hans Lynch explained the critical role of these officers. “We really couldn’t do this without them. With these [allied-navy] officers, we’re getting trained professionals who do this everyday. They know the material.”

The Australian, Canadian, and U.S. Navies share many of the same classes of ships, as well as similar helicopters, weapons and communications systems, which gives the material control officers an edge. But when needed, they also provide support for the other allied nations participating in RIMPAC.

“The majority of the freight we move from here is Canadian and Australian, but we have moved one part for a Chilean Navy ship and some mail for a Japanese ship,” said Lt. Angerman. He and 15 other officers and enlisted sailors representing the three navies make up the Forward Logistics Site (FLS) in Pearl Harbor. The FLS operates three H-3 Sea King helicopters at Hickam Air Force Base. The H-3s act as the material control officer’s logistical arm from shore to sea. “We have these three H-3s solely for our use. Usually we have to take tactical helicopters from the ships, which can take away from the exercise. We’re having success from a logistical standpoint,” Lt. Angerman said.

The logistical component of RIMPAC 2006 proved successful not only on an operational front, but also from a coalition partnership standpoint. “We have integrated very well and are very much a team,” observed Lt. Angerman.

Keeping Communications Running
Information Technology specialists from participating nations worked in the coalition’s nerve center to keep communications running between participating forces. The center is responsible for monitoring computer systems, and relaying communications between participants. The 15 service members working at the center allow RIMPAC forces to coordinate all the events involved in the exercise.

“A lot of work and planning go into an event like this to make it go smoothly,” said U.S. Navy PO1 Corey Mills. “We are learning every day to prepare for any scenario that might present itself.” He noted that radio telephonic circuits were used in previous RIMPAC exercises. “Now we use an automated system,” he said.  “It’s a more versatile system which gives more nations a chance to play and be involved in the exercise.”

U.S. Navy Lt. Jose Galito said, “This system allows us to coordinate with air, sea and land assets.  It lets the players coordinate, collaborate, and participate with each other.” According to Lt. Galito, computer models help to a degree, but having real-life scenarios like RIMPAC gives participants the opportunity to learn and improve their communication techniques, speed and accuracy for future exercises. It also gives them valuable training that helps prepare them for actual events.

To overcome language differences RIMPAC participants included volunteers augmenting foreign units as translators. Their participation facilitated the sharing of information between participating nations, as well as observing nations preparing for possible participation in future RIMPAC exercises.

E-mail: apdforum@apan-info.net