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SIU ships take part in major exercise (7/23)

Three SIU-crewed ships are participating in a major, multinational training exercise near Hawaii, according to a press release issued by the U.S. Military Sealift Command. Seafarers aboard the USNS Loyal, USNS Effective and Cape Girardeau are helping support the “Rim of the Pacific” exercise, which lasts until July 27 and involves 18,000 people. MSC reported that the U.S., Chile, Canada, South Korea, Australia and Japan are taking part in the exercise “to promote cooperation and compatibility in future missions.” The full release appears below. It also may be accessed on MSC’s web site here MSC participates in RIMPAC exercise Five Military Sealift Command ships are participating in the 19th biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise June 29 through July 27 off the waters of Hawaii. Pacific Rim countries, United States, Chile, Canada, South Korea, Australia and Japan are participating in the exercise to promote cooperation and compatibility in future missions. Of the 40 ships and submarines participating in the exercise, there are five MSC ships involved. Fast combat support ship USNS Rainier, fleet replenishment oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl, break bulk ship SS Cape Girardeau and ocean surveillance ships USNS Loyal and USNS Effective are vital contributors to RIMPAC. Some of the scenarios that will be played out during RIMPAC include sinking decommissioned ships, simulated anti-submarine warfare and a humanitarian assistance mission. The main mission of Diehl, Rainier and Cape Girardeau during the exercise is to provide supplies and fuel for the other ships. Diehl will provide fuel to the 40 participants while underway, allowing the exercise to continue around the clock. Rainier will also provide supplies for the ships, in addition to fuel. "We are extremely proud to be taking part in this multi-national force for this year's RIMPAC and we are keeping busy," explained Capt. Mike Leahy, master of Rainier. Ready Reserve Force ship Cape Girardeau has been activated from her reduced operating status to function as a re-supplying platform. Cargo will be taken from Cape Girardeau and then dispersed among the other participating ships. The ship is crewed by four teams of Naval Reservist cargo afloat rig teams. The CART teams are made up of members of several reserve units for the purpose of training. Two different 50-person teams will be used during the exercise to transfer cargo. The remaining teams will attend the ship as she travels back and forth between her layberth and Hawaii. Both Loyal and Effective are equipped with array sensor systems that can be used to track submarines. During RIMPAC, they will interact with the seven submarines participating in mock anti-submarine warfare. RIMPAC is a valuable training exercise for the 18,000 people participating. Although MSC ships will be involved with more ships than normal during RIMPAC, the exercise will only sharpen the skills the crews use every day. Operating an average of 120 ships a day; MSC is actively supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in addition to participating in training exercises such as RIMPAC. ###