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ITs Provide Support at RIMPAC 2006

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060720-08
Release Date: 7/20/2006 10:50:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph J. Olivares, Coalition Information Bureau, RIMPAC Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Information technology specialists from the U.S. Navy and seven coalition countries are providing a vital function during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006 exercise this summer, by keeping channels of communication among participants up and running.

Working in the coalition’s nerve center, the Navy’s Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Intelligence (C4I) Help Desk is responsible for monitoring computer systems, upkeep and relaying communications between participants. The 15 service members, both active and reserve, working at the help desk allow RIMPAC forces to coordinate all the events involved in the exercise.

According to Information Systems Technician 1st Class (SW/AW) Corey Mills, who is working on his third RIMPAC event, planning for RIMPAC began 18 months ago. Set up for the event began June 11.

“A lot of work and planning go into an event like this to make it go smoothly,” said Mills. “We are learning every day to prepare for any scenario that might present itself.”

He stated that radio telephonic circuits were mostly used in previous RIMPACs as a means of communication.

“Now we use an automated system,” Mills said. “It’s a more versatile system which gives more nations a chance to play and be involved in the exercise.”

According to Lt. Jose Galito, from Washington, D.C., 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.

“This system allows us to coordinate with air, sea and land assets,” Galito said. “It lets the players coordinate, collaborate and participate with each other.”

RIMPAC brings together military forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. To overcome language differences, RIMPAC participants include volunteers augmenting foreign units as translators. Their participation facilitates the sharing of information among participating nations, as well as observing nations preparing for possible participation in future RIMPAC exercises.

This year's exercise is the 20th in a series of RIMPAC exercises conducted periodically since 1971.It brings together military forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. More than 40 ships, six submarines, 160 aircraft and almost 19,000 Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Soldiers and Coast Guardsmen will participate in RIMPAC training operations.