RIMPAC

MIDNMOM

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Jul 26, 2017
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My Mid is assigned to participate in RIMPAC for summer cruise in July. I don’t know anything about it so would like to hear about your or your Mids experience.Thank you.
 
I don't know a thing about RIMPAC, but I know you'll find a fair amount of info by googling "RIMPAC 2018" or even just "RIMPAC". Perhaps you have already done that and are looking for further info?
 
Experience can vary greatly depending on the cruise. RIMPAC can be a great chance to see a large scale joint and multi-country exercise. Summer cruises can really vary in experience depending on how many Mids are on board, ship’s crew, their running mate, and how they are treated. I mean liberty in Hawaii isn’t a bad thing either. I was lucky on my summer cruise many years ago with a USNA grad as CO, only 3 Mids and a great crew. I had fun and they took great care of us.
 
I don't know a thing about RIMPAC, but I know you'll find a fair amount of info by googling "RIMPAC 2018" or even just "RIMPAC". Perhaps you have already done that and are looking for further info?
Yes, I have looked and read the info. I’m just curious what/ how the midshipmen who participated felt about it.
 
My firstie DS did an extended sub cruise out of Pearl Harbor a couple of years ago during RIMPAC and simply said it was an exciting and "very cool" time to be on that sub and all the activity going on.
 
Just watch the movie 'Battleship' and you will learn everything you need to know. I hear that it even stars a certain standout former Army football player....
 
Just watch the movie 'Battleship' and you will learn everything you need to know. I hear that it even stars a certain standout former Army football player....
LOL! I have watched it before. Alien invasion is not a story I want to hear from my Mid !
 
Just watch the movie 'Battleship' and you will learn everything you need to know. I hear that it even stars a certain standout former Army football player....
I've known Col. Greg Gadson for years. His son was one of my HS football players. He would probably not recommend watching that movie to answer the RIMPAC question.

I have though done a RIMPAC and various real world WestPac ops, and, have experience with assigned midshipmen. As mentioned above, the attitude of the crew has a lot to do with the midn's experience. The midn's attitude also has a huge impact on their experience. As with any other assignment, be on time, be respectful of the crew and their ship, ask questions, show an interest, and have fun in the WestPac as you may never go back.
 
Ok, seriously, the only RIMPAC advice I can provide is to eat at Dixie Grill which is really close to Pearl Harbor.

And that COL Gadson is the man.
I figured you were joking. I've never heard of the Dixie Grill. It's been a while since I've been to Pearl.
 
My DD went to Hawaii for RIMPAC a couple of years ago. They had quite a bit of liberty and time to explore the Island and go to the beach when they were there. She really enjoyed the actual exercise and seeing live fire destroying old ships that were being sunk out at sea. They had a chance to check out all kinds of ships, both US and foreign. There was a weather situation while they were out and she was able to see how they went about avoiding the main problem areas. It was a great time for her. Now she is at her first assignment and they are involved with RIMPAC out of San Diego.
 
I did several RIMPAC's as both a junior and senior officer. The in port phase is fun with a lot of receptions on the various allied ships. Not a lot of in port time once it moves to the execution phase of the exercise.

On my last RIMPAC, I worked in the Combined Air Operations Center. Our live target hulk was an old LPD commissioned in the early 50's. (Can't remember the name for sure, but might have been USS Ogden, LPD-5)...She survived multiple airborne attacks and failed to sink. Since it was still floating at night, and a hazard to navigation, we had to board an EOD team and place some temporary running lights on it until the next morning. If I remember correctly, after the briefing, the CFMCC (Admiral in charge of the Maritime Force) ordered a RN submarine to launch a couple of torpedoes and finish her off.

I was and am still amazed at the amount of punishment that old warship took without sinking....other than the CVN, not sure our modern warships are built to the same level of toughness.
 
I did several RIMPAC's as both a junior and senior officer. The in port phase is fun with a lot of receptions on the various allied ships. Not a lot of in port time once it moves to the execution phase of the exercise.

On my last RIMPAC, I worked in the Combined Air Operations Center. Our live target hulk was an old LPD commissioned in the early 50's. (Can't remember the name for sure, but might have been USS Ogden, LPD-5)...She survived multiple airborne attacks and failed to sink. Since it was still floating at night, and a hazard to navigation, we had to board an EOD team and place some temporary running lights on it until the next morning. If I remember correctly, after the briefing, the CFMCC (Admiral in charge of the Maritime Force) ordered a RN submarine to launch a couple of torpedoes and finish her off.

I was and am still amazed at the amount of punishment that old warship took without sinking....other than the CVN, not sure our modern warships are built to the same level of toughness.
That’s very interesting story. Thank you for sharing!
 
I did several RIMPAC's as both a junior and senior officer. The in port phase is fun with a lot of receptions on the various allied ships. Not a lot of in port time once it moves to the execution phase of the exercise.

On my last RIMPAC, I worked in the Combined Air Operations Center. Our live target hulk was an old LPD commissioned in the early 50's. (Can't remember the name for sure, but might have been USS Ogden, LPD-5)...She survived multiple airborne attacks and failed to sink. Since it was still floating at night, and a hazard to navigation, we had to board an EOD team and place some temporary running lights on it until the next morning. If I remember correctly, after the briefing, the CFMCC (Admiral in charge of the Maritime Force) ordered a RN submarine to launch a couple of torpedoes and finish her off.

I was and am still amazed at the amount of punishment that old warship took without sinking....other than the CVN, not sure our modern warships are built to the same level of toughness.
That’s very interesting story. Thank you for sharing!

Thank you, happy to share it...I'll spare you the details of a couple of Canadian helicopter pilots I saved from an FAA Flight Violation...:)
 
I did several RIMPAC's as both a junior and senior officer. The in port phase is fun with a lot of receptions on the various allied ships. Not a lot of in port time once it moves to the execution phase of the exercise.

On my last RIMPAC, I worked in the Combined Air Operations Center. Our live target hulk was an old LPD commissioned in the early 50's. (Can't remember the name for sure, but might have been USS Ogden, LPD-5)...She survived multiple airborne attacks and failed to sink. Since it was still floating at night, and a hazard to navigation, we had to board an EOD team and place some temporary running lights on it until the next morning. If I remember correctly, after the briefing, the CFMCC (Admiral in charge of the Maritime Force) ordered a RN submarine to launch a couple of torpedoes and finish her off.
LPD-1 was built in the mid-60's so Ogden was probably late 60's vintage. That said, I am not surprised that she was tough to sink. LPDs are built with large ballast tanks for well deck operations and it was well known in the LPD community that they would be extremely difficult to sink EXCEPT if she were hit
while ballasting/deballasting.
 
I did several RIMPAC's as both a junior and senior officer. The in port phase is fun with a lot of receptions on the various allied ships. Not a lot of in port time once it moves to the execution phase of the exercise.

On my last RIMPAC, I worked in the Combined Air Operations Center. Our live target hulk was an old LPD commissioned in the early 50's. (Can't remember the name for sure, but might have been USS Ogden, LPD-5)...She survived multiple airborne attacks and failed to sink. Since it was still floating at night, and a hazard to navigation, we had to board an EOD team and place some temporary running lights on it until the next morning. If I remember correctly, after the briefing, the CFMCC (Admiral in charge of the Maritime Force) ordered a RN submarine to launch a couple of torpedoes and finish her off.
LPD-1 was built in the mid-60's so Ogden was probably late 60's vintage. That said, I am not surprised that she was tough to sink. LPDs are built with large ballast tanks for well deck operations and it was well known in the LPD community that they would be extremely difficult to sink EXCEPT if she were hit
while ballasting/deballasting.

Roger that, I wasn't sure of the exact commissioning year, but agree completely.....she was one tough cookie to sink. I believe before they towed her in position for the SINKEX, they opened all the water tight doors and hatches to expedite the process. That was RIMPAC 2014 and I am pretty sure there is SINKEX video out on the internet somewhere.
 
USS Ogden LPD-5 launched 27 July 1964. I've seen a couple SINKEXs on a couple of my four ships and they both rolled over pretty fast. I'd rather see old gray ladies go out that way than cut up in a salvage yard after being sold by the government for a penny.
 
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