Bradley Byrne: Report from the world’s largest naval exercise
Imagine the scenario: a massive earthquake strikes an impoverished island country. It is followed up by multiple aftershocks and a tsunami. Countless lives are lost and thousands more are injured. The United States and partner nations are called in to respond and help get the nation back on its feet. In this instance, this was a scenario as part of the Rim of the Pacific exercise, also known as RIMPAC, military training exercise in the Pacific Ocean. While this time the scenario was just an exercise, it most certainly could become a reality. The question becomes would our country, as well as partner nations, be prepared to respond. That’s where RIMPAC comes into play. As the world’s largest naval exercise, RIMPAC allows the United States and partner nations to train together and learn more about each nation’s capabilities. Since it was started in 1971 by the United States, Australia, and Canada, RIMPAC has allowed for critical training and relationship-building across the Pacific region. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend RIMPAC this year to talk with our military leadership, observe some of the exercise, and interact with our servicemen and women. As Vice-Chairman of the House Seapower and Project Forces Subcommittee, the trip continued my understanding of the challenges facing our naval fleet, as well as provided a general overview of the overall capabilities of the world’s navies. The theme for this year’s exercise was “Capable, Adaptive, Partners.” The formal objective was to “enhance the operability of the combined RIMPAC forces across the full spectrum of military operations in the maritime environment.” Admiral John Alexander, the Commander of U.S. Third Fleet and the person in charge of the RIMPAC exercise, put it best when he said “it’s hard to say no to a friend.” That is why RIMPAC is so important. This year, RIMPAC runs from June 27th to August 2nd. 25 nations participated this year, bringing 46 ships, five submarines, 17 national land forces, over 200 aircraft, and over 25,000 total personnel. Those numbers demonstrate just how large and impressive this exercise is. During my trip, we had the opportunity to go aboard both a U.S. and an Australian Navy ship. That speaks to the nature of RIMPAC. It is all about partnerships and gaining a better understanding for each other. The Australians were incredibly welcoming and took great pride in showing off their ship and their ability to successfully operate with U.S. military personnel. One of the highlights of my RIMPAC trip was being able to meet with some sailors from Mobile, Brewton, Spanish Fort, and Tuscaloosa. In the small time I spent with them, I could tell these were high quality individuals who love serving their country. I made sure to convey our deep appreciation for service and sacrifice. You see, the U.S. Navy is always impressive, but leading 25 nations in a joint naval exercise underscores just how impressive it is. No other navy in the history of the world has ever done that, but the reasons for doing it are even more important. We are using our hard power to achieve a soft power goal – attaching each of these countries closer to the United States and creating relationships across our militaries which not only serves us all well in times of peace, as when there is a natural disaster, but just as importantly also lowers the chance of war. Hopefully the lessons learned at RIMPAC never have to be used, but I have greater confidence in our Navy and our partners following another successful exercise in the Pacific. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
August Recess agenda: Alabama 1st District Rep. Bradley Byrne
It’s August, and that means the Alabama Delegation has put business on hold in Washington, D.C. until after Labor Day and members have made their way back to the Yellowhammer state for August Recess. This year’s recess is an unprecedented seven-weeks, with Congress taking additional time off to attend the presidential conventions. While all of this sounds like vacation, the “recess” is actually designed to give members of Congress an opportunity to reconnect with the constituents they represent, and travel to places across the globe relevant to legislation in Congress, and to strengthen U.S. relations in those countries. Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Bryne has his plate full this August. He began his time away from D.C. visiting Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) — the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise — in Hawaii to see the Mobile-built Littoral Combat Ship in action. He next took part in a ride-along with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s office, where he had the opportunity to see firsthand some of the challenges law enforcement officers face on a daily basis. Yesterday, Byrne embarked on his “Better Way to Fight Poverty Tour” where he continued to spread the Better Way agenda that brings a plan to end poverty to the people of Southwest Alabama. Byrne host a bevy of Town Hall meetings, where he’ll answer questions and hear from constituents about issues concerning them. Below is his upcoming Town Hall schedule: Citronelle: 11:30 a.m., Aug. 8 at Citronelle City Hall (19135 S. Main St.) Grand Bay: 3 p.m., Aug. 9 at Grand Bay Senior and Community Center (11610 U.S. Highway 90) Stockton: Noon, Aug. 22 at Stagecoach Cafe (52860 Alabama Highway 59) Summerdale: 2:30 p.m., Aug. 22 at Summerdale Municipal Complex (502 W. Lee Ave.) Byrne’s also holding annual roundtable meetings with school superintendents, local economic development leaders, and college/university presidents. He’s also scheduled several speaking engagements with local organizations, school visits, and business tours. Another large event he has planned is the “Women’s Forum 2016: Charting Your Own Course” in downtown Mobile. Featuring keynote speaker Washington-state U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the forum will seek to empower women to think with a different perspective for incredible personal and professional results. The forum will also feature a panel discussion of local women leaders who will address securing the healthiest possible future through methods of community, finance, cyber security and personal protection. The forum will run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 26.
Bradley Byrne: Keeping up with the U.S. Navy
“A good Navy is not a provocation to war. It is the surest guaranty of peace.” Those were the words of President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902, but they hold true today. One of the keys to peace and stability in the world is a strong naval fleet. I recently had the opportunity to travel with the U.S. Navy to observe the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval training exercise in the Pacific Ocean. RIMPAC is the largest naval exercise in the world and involves navies from nations all around the Pacific Ocean. This year saw the largest cohort of nations participating with 25 navies taking part and six others observing. There were approximately45 surface ships, 5 submarines, 200 aircraft, and 45,000 personnel. The U.S. had the largest presence with 23 ships. Russia was not invited to this year’s exercise, but they were there nonetheless. Russia had several ships in the area “observing,” even though they were not invited to participate or observe. The participating navies did preparation on shore and at dock together and then went to sea exercising everything from humanitarian operations to submarine rescue to surface, anti-submarine and naval air warfare. The highlight of RIMPAC for me was getting to visit the USS Coronado, a Mobile-built Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), at sea. RIMPAC served as the “coming out party” of sorts for the Austal USA ship, and it is safe to say that everyone was impressed. From the Chief of Naval Operations to the Commander of the Pacific Fleet to the Commander of the USS Coronado, everyone I talked to raved about the LCS’s performance and capabilities. It really gave me such pride to know the ship was built by the hardworking people of Alabama. While on the Coronado, I actually had the opportunity to drive the ship. As someone who grew up driving boats on Mobile Bay, it was really something to drive such a large vessel. Most impressive, the LCS can get up to around 38 knots, or 42 miles per hour, and it can turn on a dime. In addition to visiting the LCS, our group also paid a visit to the USS John C. Stennis, an aircraft carrier. There is nothing quite like landing and shooting off an aircraft carrier. It is a truly unique experience. While on the ship, I was able to eat lunch with some service members from Alabama. I was excited to meet Deshundra Taite from Monroeville. Seeing people from Southwest Alabama reminded me just how small the world really is. I asked the sailors I met if they had anything I needed to know or anything I could do for them. One of them made a pretty powerful statement. She said to remind the American people how hard it is for our service members to be away from their families and loved ones for so long. It was a powerful reminder about service and sacrifice. We also had the opportunity to visit a submarine, a fuel storage facility, the Pacific Command headquarters, and the USS Arizona Pearl Harbor Memorial. All were very impressive and helped me better understand the U.S. Navy. I returned back to my home on Mobile Bay exhausted but all the more impressed by the quality of technology and individuals who make up the Navy. As a laid down that night, I was able to sleep soundly knowing the U.S. Navy patrols the world’s seas assuring our freedom and safety. • • • Bradley Byrne is a member of U.S. Congress representing Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
