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By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach

A 2009 Ringgold High School graduate and Monongahela, native is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise known as the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC).

Luke Oberle

Seaman Luke Oberle is a gunner's mate aboard USS Lake Champlain, currently operating out of San Diego, California.

A Navy gunner's mate is responsible for monitoring and regulating the temperature of the ship's weapons magazines, in order to keep the weapons operational. They also maintain the crew-served weapons mounts on the ship.

Oberle is looking forward to applying the lessons learned from Monongahela to working in the Navy.

“I learned the importance of cleanliness growing up,” said Oberle. "Cleanliness is important in the Navy and maintaining a good work center is vital to the mission."

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.

“I'm looking forward to seeing the different sites while here in Hawaii,” said Oberle. "It's my third time here, and I try to see different parts of the island every time I come here."

Twenty-six nations, 46 surface ships, five submarines, 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, Brazil, 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, Oberle and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.

“Since I've been in the Navy, I've learned that I can do anything I put my mind to,” said Oberle. “Serving in the Navy gives me the opportunity for a better life. I'm always looking to further my education, and the Navy gives me that chance. I want to be an anesthesiologist one day. Having the opportunity that the Navy provides me to be able to go to school debt free is amazing."

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

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