CRS 3 Exercise High Value Asset Transit in RIMPAC 2016

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class John Herman | 60709-N-IY142-548 PEARL HARBOR (July 9, 2016) Sailors from Coastal Riverine Squadron 3 coordinate with members of the Mobile Diving Salvage Unit at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam during 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. (U.S. Navy Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Herman/RELEASED)  

PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, UNITED STATES

07.09.2016

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class John Herman 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element Detachment Hawaii

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (July 9, 2016) – Sailors of Coastal Riverine Squadron 3 conducted a high value asset transit with the General Frank S. Besson-class Logistics Support Vessel Lieutenant General William B. Bunker (LSV 4) during Rim of the Pacific 2016.

The purpose of the transit exercise was to demonstrate the squadron’s ability to ensure security and freedom of navigation for vessels in harbors and coastal areas, which is one of the squadron’s primary missions.

“The highest danger for ships is near the shore and in harbors, where maneuverability is restricted,” said Chief Quartermaster William Sage, riverine detachment senior enlisted section leader. “Our force protection provides peace of mind, because most of the ships we escort are not warships and don’t have the ability to defend themselves.”

After the transit, the riverine command boats proceeded to meet with members of the Mobile Diving Salvage Team to discuss future scheduled training operations together as part of RIMPAC.

For many members of the riverine boat crews, this was their first time working with RIMPAC.

“This is great,” said Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Meredith Bonugli, boat engineer. “I’ve never been in an exercise with such a diverse group of participants before and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to train with units and personnel that we normally don’t get to work with.”

Coastal Riverine Squadron 3 is part of Coastal Riverine Group 1, both based out of San Diego.

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.

• Date Taken: 07.09.2016
• Date Posted: 07.12.2016 01:32
• Story ID: 203654
• Location: PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, US