Reservists Provide Support, Continuity to RIMPA
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060730-07
7/30/2006
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class(SW) Cynthia Clark, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- More than 100 Reservists from all over the country augmented the staff of Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (SUBPAC) for Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006, held June 26–July 28, at Pearl Harbor Naval Station and in the waters off the coast of Hawaii.
These Reservists joined the approximately 19,000 military personnel from Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States, participating in RIMPAC. The exercise is designed to enhance the tactical proficiency of units in a variety of sea operations.
“Our Navy Reserve Team integrated with the active component supporting the current Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) bi-annual/multinational exercise is a force multiplier enabling the CNO’s (Chief of Naval Operations) vision of the 1,000 ship Navy,” said Rear Adm. Jim Beebe, deputy commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. “By working in partnership and exercising with our allies and coalition navies, we enhance the effectiveness of this global naval force.”
In addition to the obvious benefits of active-reserve integration for an exercise such as RIMPAC, in the submarine community, the reserve personnel also bring along a wealth of knowledge.
“Our Reserve component provides continuity to RIMPAC,” said Capt. John Croce, operational support officer for Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. “For most of the active-duty personnel assigned to SUBPAC, this will be their first and only RIMPAC, while we have many Reservists who are participating in their third or fourth, so they’ve been there and done that. It’s very helpful.”
According to Croce, more than 100 Reservists provided 1,370 man-days of support to SUBPAC operations and communications, Commander Task Force 12, Commander U.S. 3rd Fleet, as well as Submarine Squadrons 1, 3 and 7 during the exercise. In addition to supporting watches on the shore, they also embarked on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and the guided-missile destroyer USS O’Kane (DDG 77), providing support to the destroyer squadrons (DESRONs) as Submarine Advisory Teams (SAT) and Submarine Element Coordinators (SEC).
“The SAT/SEC assists the DESRON commodore and staff in utilization of any submarine assigned to the strike group,” said Cmdr. Matt Zirkle, submarine element coordinator SEC aboard Lincoln. “During the exercise, we have 10 Reservists on the team to assist the squadron for water space management and to advise them on submarine tactics.”
Zirkle’s team of Reservists work, sleep and eat right beside the active-duty Sailors assigned to the carrier, and bring their submarine experience to assist the staff on the ship in submarine matters they may not be familiar with.
“As a submarine advisory team operations assistant (SATOA), our job is to plot, chart and communicate submarine operational areas to the multinational force and maintain communications with our designated submarines,” said Electronics Technician 2nd Class (SS) Matthew Fillion, a Reservist attached to Pacific Strike Group Operations Detachment Bravo, Portland, Ore.
Not only do Sailors such as Fillion bring their submarine experience with them, they also bring a wealth of exercise knowledge, more importantly, RIMPAC knowledge.
“I have done several exercises …,” Fillion continued. “I’ve done this job during exercises aboard the USS Tarawa (LHA 1), USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). I’ve done two RIMPACs, one of those was while I was on active duty.”
Fillion’s knowledge of the watch station during exercises such as RIMPAC benefit his fellow Reservists, as well as the squadron’s active component. Serving on a different platform than they are used to is enlightening to the large scale of these types of exercises.
“I am learning tons,” said Electronics Technician 1st Class (SS) Michael Shaw, assigned to the Naval Reserve Commander Submarine Group 7 Detachment Charlie, based in Fort Worth, Texas. “I am working on my qualification as Submarine Advisory Team Operations Assistant. Fillion is helping me learn this job.”
On O’Kane, a smaller team coordinates the submarine element for the bilateral force, Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) and U.S. Navy for Commander, Destroyer Squadron 31 (DESRON 31).
“We coordinate all submarine operations for the bilateral force commander,” said Cmdr. James Williams, who in the civilian world is an engineer for COMSUBPAC staff. “We man watches right along with the DESRON staff, looking out for JMSDF and U.S. Navy submarines participating in the exercise. We also augment [the squadron] with our anti-submarine warfare expertise plus familiarization on how to use air and surface forces along with the submarines.”
The active-reserve component isn’t only representing the submarine community at sea; Reservists are also holding down the fort back at COMSUBPAC as well. They work along with the active SUBPAC Sailors manning the white cell and communications center.
“In the white cell, with all the countries and different events we look at all events planned for submarines,” said Cmdr. Sanjay Mathur, RIMPAC white cell watch officer and a Reservist from Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic in Norfolk, Va. “When the exercise is going on, we have to ensure the water the submarines are assigned in are safe. We have to take the big picture in mind for the seven submarines involved in the exercise in order for them to be safe and also make sure they’re not interfering with the other operational boats.”
SUBPAC active-duty staff knows their job would be a lot more difficult without the reserve element during an exercise such as RIMPAC.
“Reservists play a vital role,” said Lt. Artvel Tyson, SUBPAC Strategic Command and Control assistant. “We couldn’t handle the workload ourselves; they’re well trained for specific exercises. Their transition is seamless being prior active duty.”
The Reservists know this as well and are glad they’re here to help.
“The need for integration between the active and reserve components is essential,” said Cmdr. Ron Farmer, commanding officer of Pacific Strike Group Operations Detachment F, out of Phoenix. “It’s great to show up and immediately contribute to the overall success of such a large scale exercise like RIMPAC.”
For related news, visit the Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/subpac/.
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