PEARL HARBOR – A 2011 Renassaince Academy graduate and Prince Frederick, Maryland, native is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC).

Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael T. Weathers is a crytologic technician (maintenance) aboard USS Preble, currently operating out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

A Navy crytologic technician (maintenance) is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of port cryptological equipment.

Weathers applies the lessons he learned from Prince Frederick to his work in the Navy.

“My parents were both in the Navy, so I learned a great work ethic form them,” said Weathers.

As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring safety at sea and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2018 is the 26th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

The theme of RIMPAC 2018 is Capable, Adaptive, Partners. The participating nations and forces exercise a wide range of capabilities and demonstrate the inherent flexibility of maritime forces. These capabilities range from disaster relief and maritime security operations to sea control and complex warfighting. The relevant, realistic training program includes, gunnery, missile, anti-submarine and air defense exercises, as well as amphibious, counter-piracy, mine clearance operations, explosive ordnance disposal and diving and salvage operations.

“I will start cranking in the galley during RIMPAC, so it will be cool seeing people from the different countries,” said Weathers.

This is the first time Israel, Sri Lanka and Vietnam are participating in RIMPAC. Additional firsts include New Zealand serving as sea combat commander and Chile serving as combined force maritime component commander. This is the first time a non-founding RIMPAC nation (Chile) will hold a component commander leadership position.

Twenty-six nations, 46 surface ships, five submarines, and more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific Exercise. This year’s exercise includes forces from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam.

As a member of the U.S. Navy, Weathers and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.

“I have learned that I really like getting the job done,” said Weathers. “Serving in the Navy means continuing in the tradition of seving in the Navy like my parents.”

Additional information about RIMPAC is available at http://www.cpf.navy.mil

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Electa Berassa, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Senior Chief Gary Ward