USS Shoup Hosts Congressional Staff Members

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Phillip Pavlovich | 160630-N-IY142-056 PEARL HARBOR (June 30, 2016) USS Shoup (DDG-86) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for 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)  

UNITED STATES

07.18.2016

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class holly herline 

Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet           

The crew of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) welcomed six staff members of various congressional members to observe underway operations, during Rim of the Pacific 2016, July 18th.

The staff members arrived aboard Shoup in an MH-60S helicopter from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), also participating in RIMPAC.

Upon arrival, they were escorted to the wardroom to receive a RIMPAC familiarization brief on Shoup’s role in the exercise.

“It’s something else to be able to see all these partner nations out here cooperating with each other and getting to know one another’s capabilities,” said Eric Lindsey, defense policy advisor for Congressman Randy Forbes.

Staff members also had the opportunity to meet and interact with some of the crew.

During the visitors time on board, Shoup participated in a live-fire exercise with Australian, Indian, Canadian and Chilean navies, and from the pilot house, staff members were able to observe Shoup fire rounds from an MK-45 5-inch gun.

“It’s cool to get to see a destroyer in action,” said Lindsey. “Seeing the 5-inch gun firing is not something that we, as congressional staff, get to see very often.”

Staff members also received a tour of the ship, providing them with an idea of how a destroyer and its crew operate underway and a better understanding of RIMPAC and the partnerships it fosters.

Lt. j. g. Zachary Bessette, Shoup’s electronics officer, said he was happy the crew had the opportunity to show off what they do day-in and day-out. “Shoup is extremely proud of what she and her crew do, and with good reason. Hopefully they saw exactly that when they visited," said Bessette.

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: 07.18.2016
• Date Posted: 07.21.2016 00:03
• Story ID: 204545
• Location: US