WARD.
WHAT’S NEWS IN PENN HILLS
Rob Wood.
PENN HILLS NATIVE
PARTICIPATES IN
WORLD’S LARGEST
INTERNATIONAL
MARITIME WARFARE
EXERCISE
A 2009 Penn Hills Senior High School
graduate 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 Rob Wood
is a ship’s serviceman aboard USS Carl
Vinson, currently operating out of San
Diego. A Navy ship’s serviceman is
responsible for boosting the morale on
the ship by providing different services.
Wood applies the lessons learned
from Pittsburgh to working in the Navy.
“I learned accountability, maturity
and responsibility growing up, and it’s
definitely helped me in the Navy,” he said.
“I’m most proud of making third class
petty officer,” adds Wood. “I’m also proud
of being Blue Jacket of the Quarter in
2016.”
As the world’s largest international
maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides
a unique training opportunity that
8
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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’m excited to learn about the mission
of RIMPAC, and how we interact with
our allies,” said Wood.
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. It is also 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, Wood
and other sailors know they are part of a
legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes,
providing the Navy the nation needs.
icmags.com
“I’ve learned about time management
and patience since I’ve been in the
Navy,” said Wood. “Serving in the Navy
means everything to me. I love serving
my country and I plan on making this a
career.”
Additional information
about RIMPAC is available at
http://www.cpf.navy.mil.
5TH ANNUAL EMMAUS
SPIRIT RUN COSTUME
5K & 1-MILE FUN WALK
Put away your everyday running gear
and get into the Halloween spirit at the
5th Annual Emmaus Spirit Run Costume
5k & 1-Mile Fun Walk on Saturday,
Oct. 20. The chipped 5k loops around
the scenic Three Rivers Heritage Trail
with the start and finish line in the South
Shore Riverfront Park in the heart of
the South Side Works. A family friendly
1-mile fun walk along the Three Rivers
Heritage Trail is also available.
The race kicks off at 8:30 a.m. Strollers
are welcome! This event offers prizes for
overall and age-level winners, a spirited
costume contest and post-race family fun,
including pumpkin painting, Halloween
crafts, photo booth, food and drinks,
raffles and more!
All proceeds benefit the Emmaus
Community of Pittsburgh, which
provides homes, services and advocacy
for people with intellectual disabilities.
Online registration is available through
ACTIVE.com. Same-day registrations
welcome! Event is rain or shine. n