USS Ronald Reagan Hosts International Navies for Sea Combat Control Exercises During RIMPAC 2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Stephen Votaw, USS Ronald Reagan Public Affairs

ABOARD USS RONALD REAGAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Over 40 sailors from seven different navies are working together in Sea Combat Control (SCC) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010, which concludes Aug. 1.

Both enlisted and officers from CVN 76 work together with counterparts from Singapore, Japan, Australia, Chile, Peru, and Colombia to manage all combat exercises during RIMPAC. The Sailors manage anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare for Carrier Strike Group Seven and the entire RIMPAC force and use radar, charts, and high tech devices to monitor, chart, and communicate with other ships and submarines.

This international cooperation offers everyone the opportunity to learn from the different perspectives of foreign militaries.

"We are smarter together then we are alone," said Lt. Jeff Sizemore, tactical action officer, from San Diego.

Tactical action officers from the different countries work together to maintain the overall operational picture and give direction and administration to the Sailors that work for them.

"Working together with the other militaries really gives you the ability to see the big picture of not only what is going on in your own fleet but in all the navies around the Pacific," said Lt. Cmdr. Adam Wells, from Sydney, Australia. "It's very rare to see this many navies working together for one combined goal."

SCC is a vital part of protecting both CVN 76 as well as all of Carrier Strike Group 7 and the entire RIMPAC force.

RIMPAC is the world's largest multinational maritime exercise, and is taking place in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands. The exercise is themed "Combined Agility, Synergy and Support," and marks the 22nd exercise in the series that originated in 1971.