Approximately 29 nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel will train and operate in and around the Hawaiian Islands during the exercise, which runs until August 1st. RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans.
“The Rim of the Pacific exercise has grown over the years to be the world’s largest and premier joint combined maritime training opportunity,” said Vice Adm. John Wade, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet and RIMPAC 2024 Combined Task Force (CTF) commander. “The exercise’s purpose is to build relationships, to enhance interoperability and proficiency and, ultimately, contribute to the peace and stability in the vitally-important Indo-Pacific region.”
The theme of RIMPAC 2024 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared.”
Hundreds gathered that morning at Yokosuka’s Fleet Theater to see Rear Adm. Ian Johnson relieve Rear Adm. Carl Lahti as commander of Naval Forces Japan and Navy Region Japan.
Johnson served aboard at least four submarines, including as executive officer for the attack submarine USS Memphis and commander of the attack submarine USS Connecticut.
Originally from Wakefield, R.I., he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1994 with a bachelor’s in aeronautical engineering. He also holds a master’s in engineering management from Catholic University of America.
Plans by the U.S. Navy to deploy a nuclear submarine to Cuba this week were considered so routine, little thought was given to the move within the U.S. government — until the Biden administration learned of Russia’s plans to dock one of its own in Havana at the same time.
The Navy had planned for weeks to deploy the USS Helena, a nuclear-powered, fast- attack submarine, to the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base as “part of our routine naval activities,” one official with U.S. Southern Command, based in Doral, said.
On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing a national Flag Day on June 14. Many Americans celebrate Flag Day by displaying the Red, White and Blue in front of homes and businesses. The day commemorates the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States.
My Name is Old Glory
I am the Flag of the United States of America – My name is Old Glory! I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings. I stand watch in America’s halls of justice. I fly majestically over great institutions of learning. I stand guard with the greatest military power in the world. Look up and see me! I stand for Peace, Honor, Truth, and Justice – I stand for Freedom. I am confident, I am arrogant, I am proud! When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer. I bow to no one – I am recognized all over the world. I am Worshipped, I am Loved, and I am feared! I have fought in every battle of every war for more than two hundred years Gettysburg, Shiloh, Appomattox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, the Argon Forest, Anzio, Rome, Pearl Harbor, the beaches of Normandy, Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Viet Nam, the Persian Gulf, and a score of other places long forgotten by all but those who were there with me. I was there. I led my Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, I followed them, and watched over them. They love me! I was on a small hill on Iwo Jima. I was dirty, battle worn, and tired, but my Soldiers cheered me, and I was PROUD! I have been soiled, burned, torn, and trampled in the streets of countries that I have helped set free. It does not hurt, for I am invincible. I have been a silent witness to all of America’s finest hours. My finest hour comes, when I am torn into strips to be used as a bandage for my wounded comrades on the field of battle, when I fly at half mast to honor my Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines, when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving mother at the graveside of her fallen son or daughter. I am proud – My name is Old Glory! Long may I wave, dear God. Long may I wave.
A U.S. Navy submarine has arrived in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in a show of force as a fleet of Russian warships gather for planned military exercises in the Caribbean.
U.S. Southern Command said the USS Helena, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, pulled into the waters near the U.S. base in Cuba on Thursday, just a day after a Russian frigate, a nuclear-powered submarine, an oil tanker and a rescue tug crossed into Havana Bay after drills in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Pentagon deployed three Navy destroyers and maritime patrol aircraft this week to keep tabs on a group of Russian ships that conducted missile exercises and reportedly got within 30 miles of the Florida coast.
“In accordance with standard procedure, we’ve been actively monitoring the Russian ships as they transit the Atlantic Ocean within international waters,” a defense official, who spoke on the condition his name not be used, told Military.com in an emailed statement Wednesday.
As Veterans we must Vote to make our voices heard in the political arena, and to protect the freedoms we vowed to in our oath of enlistment.
Ben Franklin after the Constitution was approved is said to have told someone that the founders gave the us a Republic: if we can keep it. He meant that everyone must participate in the political system and vote to keep the government of the people, by the people and for the people. Our participation doesn’t stop at elections but must continue constantly, and as Veterans our oath does not expire.
Voting comes with certain responsibilities, one of which is the responsibility to make decisions in a sufficiently informed manner. How we vote has a significant impact on political outcomes that affect many more people than just ourselves. Because of its far reaching results, we have the moral obligation to become sufficiently informed before casting our ballot.
2024 Candidates
On Tuesday June 4th at 4:30pm candidate filing closed for the 2024 Elections.
Hundreds of candidates have filed to run for office in Hawaii in 2024. This resource guide will help you figure out who to vote for. Honolulu Civil Beat 2024 Election Ballot: Hawaii Candidate Guide.
You can all find your candidates for local, State, and Federal races on the Office of Elections final candidate report HERE. The report includes candidate contact information.
2024 Election Key Dates
Primary
July 23 – Voters start receiving their Primary Election mail ballot packet. July 29 – Voter service centers open times vary. August 10 – Primary Election. Voting service centers open from 7am to 7pm.
General
October 18 – Voters start receiving their Primary Election mail ballot packet. October 22 – Voter service centers open times vary. November 5 – Primary Election. Voting service centers open from 7am to 7pm.
Click HERE to find all voting service centers, drop box locations, and times they are open across the State.
Best Practices
Pre-Vote
1. Go to the Office of Elections “Online Voter Registration System” here and verify your registered at your current residence.
2. Do your research! Using the Office of Elections candidate report, find candidates running that you can vote for and reach out to them via email or phone. Follow them on social media and attend any of their events. Ask them where they stand on the issues that keep you up at night.
3. Determine how you will cast your vote – mail in your ballot, drop your ballot in a drop box near you, or vote in person at a Voting Service Center.
Note: If you mail in your ballot, it is highly recommended you sign up for “BallotTrax“, so you can track your ballot. Mailed in ballots must be received by 7pm on Election Day.
4. Mark your calendar and make a plan to vote.
Mail In and Drop Box Voting
We strongly recommend in person voting!
However, if you must mail in or use a drop box we recommend the following:
1. Drop your mail ballot envelope at a U.S. Post Office location mail box. These are the most secure and are emptied on a more routine basis. Additionally, they are often monitored by security cameras.
2. Drop your mail ballot envelope at a drop box at your county’s election office. These are the most secure drop boxes and often monitored by security cameras.
In Person Voting
1. Be sure to check the hours the Voting Service Center will be open, either during early voting or on election day, and plan accordingly. If voting on election day expect their to be a long line.
Note: If voting on election day be sure to arrive early and be in line before 7pm. Only voters in line at 7pm will be allowed to vote.
2. Bring your mailed ballot packet to the voting location as proof you have not voted, should you need it. You’ll not be able to use your mailed ballot and you will be provided an in person voting ballot.
On Memorial Day Monday May 27, 2024 at 1100 hours, dozens of Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base Submarine Veterans, submarine veteran wives and widows, active and retired military members, and friends of the Submarine Force participated in the annual Memorial Day commemoration at USS Parche and Submarine Memorial Park on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (formerly known as Submarine Base Pearl Harbor.)
The U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II assigned a submarine lost during the war to each state of our great nation as their state submarine. The USS Growler (SS-215) was designated as the State Submarine of Hawaii. After Growler’s fourth war patrol during which Medal of Honor winner Commander Howard W. Gilmore issued his final order to “Take her down!”, sacrificing all for his country and his severely damaged submarine, the Growler made her way back to Brisbane for repairs. USS Growler was dubbed the “Kangaroo Express” by the Australians when, after the extensive and miraculous repairs to the ship’s bow, the Australian shipyards welded a kangaroo coin to each side of her repaired bow. For the Royal Australian Navy, Commander Tim Markusson, CMDCM(SS) (Retired) Gary Johnson presented a lei.
Among the over 3,500 submariners who lost their lives, we have the names of seventeen Filipino U.S. Army Rangers who were lost with USS Seawolf (SS-197). The U.S. Army’s 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment, represented today by Mrs. Anita Loando-Acohido, once again honors our ceremony as they do every year to place a lei on the special plaque engraved with the names of those seventeen heroic Filipinos who went down with Seawolf.
Honoring our ceremony were several organizations presenting flower wreaths. Representing Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base Submarine Veterans – MMC(SS) (Retired) Pat Suenaga; representing the Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association – Captain (Retired) Chuck Merkel; representing the Aloha Chapter of the Naval Submarine League – Captain (Retired) Pete Miller; and representing the Pearl Harbor Submarine Officers’ Spouses’ Association – President President Kristen Newman Vice President Monike Hunter, and Secretary Melissa Ludwig.
In honor of our submarine widows, a single rose was presented to Dolores Brown and Nancy Kreis.
Our keynote address was given by Captain Aaron C. Peterson, Commander, Submarine Squadron 1.
The ceremony ended with a 3-gun volley by Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Navy Honor Guard Detachment followed by Taps by Bugler MU3 Andrew Gushiken of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Ceremonial Band.
On behalf of the Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base Submarine Veterans, mahalo to all for joining us in commemorating our submarine hero’s.
God Bless our Submarine Force, God Bless our Navy, and God Bless the United States of America. ALOHA!
Following our commemoration, Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base members, families and friends gathered for a Memorial Day barbecue at Lockwood Lanai.
The BuildSubmarines ad blitz is part of an innovative campaign to shore up one particular aspect of the industrial base.
The U.S. Navy, along with its shipbuilders and their thousands of specialty suppliers, need more than 100,000 workers to help build attack and ballistic missile submarines over the coming decade. That’s according to BuildSubmarines.com, whose ubiquitous ads you may have seen during reality TV shows, on NASCAR hoods, at WNBA games, and amid Major League Baseball broadcasts. But what is that website and who runs it?
BuildSubmarines.com is the public face of an innovative, multi-organization effort to woo American workers to join a crucial part of the defense industrial workforce. The hub is BlueForge Alliance, a not-for-profit organization founded in November 2022 with a Navy contract and a mandate to gin up a new generation of shipbuilders.
Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base 