Salisbury native participates in world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise
Published 3:24 pm Friday, July 31, 2026
Sgt. Raymundo Montes Medrano – Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Patricia Elkins
PEARL HARBOR — Sgt. Raymundo Montes Medro, a native of Salisbury, serves with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM 164) (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, operating out of Camp Pendleton, California, and participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in and around the Hawaiian Islands
Montes Medro graduated from North Rowan High School in 2020
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Salisbury
“Growing up, my father was the hardest worker I knew,” Montes Medro said. “He taught me the importance of never quitting and to always keep working towards something. I’ve taken that with me, and it has helped me succeed ever since.”
Montes Medro joined the Marine Corps six years ago. Today, Montes Medro serves as a heavy equipment mechanic
“Being first generation in the United States, I wanted to do something meaningful and set an example for my siblings,” Montes Medro said. “I enlisted, and in doing so I know I’ve made a strong impression for my family name.”
As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, 31 nations, approximately 40 surface ships, five submarines, 14 national land forces, over 140 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel will participate in RIMPAC 2026. This exercise 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 2026 marks the 30th exercise in a series that began in 1971
The theme of RIMPAC 2026 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared.” 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.
It is fitting that the world’s premier maritime exercise occurs as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary. For 250 years, the United States has built relationships with international partners based on trust, cooperation and shared values. RIMPAC is where that trust is put into practice, strengthening the people-to-people relationships that are the bedrock of all the nations’ collective security
Montes Medro plays an important role in the exercise
“RIMPAC has allowed me to showcase my skills in the heavy equipment area,” Montes Medro said. “By ensuring gear and equipment make it to where they need to be to establish our area of operations, I know I’ve done my part.”
Montes Medro serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security
“Serving in the Marine Corps means a lot because it has developed me so much as a person,” Montes Medro said
Montes Medro is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible
“I want to thank both my parents and all my siblings for their love and support, which has sculpted me to be the person I am today,” added Montes Medro
Hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2026 will be led by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, Rear Adm. Richard Meyer, who will serve as Combined Task Force (CTF) commander. Chile will fill the role of deputy commander of the CTF, and Japan will fill the role of vice commander. The Republic of Korea will command the maritime component, and Canada will command the air component
During RIMPAC, a network of capable, adaptive partners train and operate together in order to strengthen their collective forces and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. RIMPAC 2026 contributes to the increased interoperability, resiliency and agility needed by the Joint and Combined Force to deter and defeat aggression by major powers across all domains and levels of conflict
John Osborne is senior chief mass communication specialist for the Navy Office of Community Outreach
