Faces of RIMPAC - First RIMPAC for Australian Sailor - LS Alyssa Clark

Photo By Christopher Szumlanksi | PACIFIC OCEAN (July 13, 2022) Royal Australian Navy Leading Seaman Alyssa Clark on the flight deck of Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra (L02) during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 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 while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (Photo by Royal Australian Navy Petty Officer Chris Szumlanski)  

PACIFIC OCEAN

07.19.2022

Story by Christopher Szumlanksi 

Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet           

By POIS Chris Szumlanski
Royal Australian Navy Sailor Leading Seaman Aviation Support Alyssa Clark (LSAVN Clark) serves onboard Landing Helicopter Dock HMAS Canberra, where she works as a Flight Deck Marshaller and part of a high paced team to provide support to the ship’s flight operations.

After missing RIMPAC 2020 due to illness, LSAVN Clark said she was thrilled to be selected to sail with the Australian Defence Force and take part in the first RIMPAC exercise of her naval career.

“I feel honoured to be a part of RIMPAC and representing Australia. It is a unique opportunity to meet new people from the many other nations involved, and I’m proud to be one of many sharing the Australian culture,” LSAVN Clark said.

“I hope to build relationships with the other nations and gain an understanding of the similarities and differences, not only between the many forces and ourselves, but also between each of the countries and cultures in a more general sense.”

With five years of service thus far, LSAVN Clark said, “being in the aviation environment, I am fortunate enough to get the opportunity to work closely alongside the United States Marine Corps and their aircraft during this RIMPAC Sea Phase.

“This provides not only myself, but the aviation department with the chance to exchange valuable knowledge and practices in order to enhance our capabilities on the Flight Deck and set us in good stead for future deployments and collaborations.”

Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 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 while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

• Date Taken: 07.19.2022
• Date Posted: 07.22.2022 21:23
• Story ID: 425526
• Location: PACIFIC OCEAN