Working alongside multinational naval forces during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2014, the Oliver Hazard Perry-Class guided-missile frigate USS Gary (FFG 51) demonstrated her proficiency in gunnery, maritime interdiction operations, helicopter operations, small boat operations, navigation, communication, and ship handling.
Gary began her involvement transiting the Pacific Ocean during a group sail including USS Cape St. George (CG 71), USS Sampson (DDG 102), USCGC Waesche (WMSL 751), USNS Rainier, CNS Blanco Encalada (FF 15), HnoMS Fridt Jof Nansen (F310), and HMCS Calgary (FFH 335).
Operations Officer Lt. William Hessell coordinated most of Gary’s participation in RIMPAC.
“Gary was fortunate to participate in DESRON [Destroyer Squadron] 9’s multinational group sail en route to Hawaii,” Hessell said. “It was an excellent opportunity to work with our coalition partners and rehearse exercises we would conduct during RIMPAC. The highlight was the cross-deck program, which allowed sailors to spend a week on other nations’ ships and gain valuable experience in the process.”
Operations Specialist 2nd Class Bradly Ingram said participating in the group sail was a unique experience.
“I enjoyed working alongside the foreign nation’s ships so closely,” he said. “It gives you a kind of bird’s-eye view that only the participants could see.”
During group sail, the ships performed gunnery exercises, tactical shipboard maneuvers, underway replenishments, helicopter operations, anti-submarine operations, and a passing exercise. Following the group sail, Gary pulled into Pearl Harbor for the RIMPAC in-port phase.
After the in-port sea phase, Gary departed Pearl Harbor for the at-sea phase portion of RIMPAC.
Twenty-two nations, 49 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 26 to Aug. 1 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.