NECC Makes Debut at RIMPAC 2008
Story Number: NNS080718-09
Release Date: 7/18/2008 4:15:00 PM
By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Dave Nagle, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Forces from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) arrived on the island of Oahu the week of July 14-18 to take part in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008 exercise.
More than 500 Sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1 (EODGRU 1), Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 9, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11, Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operational Support Unit 7 and Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 12 are participating in the biennial exercise. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 is also participating from the island of Guam.
Navy expeditionary forces are integral to executing the Maritime Strategy, which is based on expanded core capabilities of maritime power: forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
During RIMPAC, these units will exercise their combat capabilities such as maritime security, explosive ordnance disposal, diving and salvage, expeditionary construction and logistics and maritime civil affairs.
In addition, RIMPAC is an opportunity to exercise the command and control of expeditionary forces, through an adaptive force package staff (CTF 171), commanded by Capt. Barry Coceano, Commander, EODGRU 1.
"We will be exercising expeditionary combat and maritime security capabilities during RIMPAC 2008. RIMPAC will hone the skills of our expeditionary staff and sailors, ensuring they are flexible, rapidly deployable, self-reliant, self-sustaining and capable of operating in the most diverse environments world-wide," he said.
RIMPAC is the world's largest multinational exercise and is scheduled biennially by the U. S. Pacific Fleet. Participants include the United States, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, the Netherlands, Peru, Republic of Korea, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
NECC is a global force provider of adaptive force packages of expeditionary capabilities to joint warfighting commanders. NECC serves as a single manning functional command to centrally manage the current and future readiness, resources, manning, training and equipping of the Navy Expeditionary Force.
