Nathan Hagen, a native of Onalaska, Wisconsin, serves with the Combat Logistics Company 33 assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), a Marine air-ground task force out of Camp Pendleton, California, participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in and around the Hawaiian Islands.
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class
Patricia Elkins
Hagen graduated from Onalaska High School in 2019 and will graduate with an associate’s degree from American Military University in 2027.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Onalaska.
“I think learning the work ethic and value of camaraderie playing sports have proven to be key lessons and experiences that coincide with the Marine Corps,” Hagen said.
Hagen joined the Navy six years ago. Today, Hagen serves as an ammunition technician.
“I joined because I always wanted to serve in the military, but since my father served in the Navy and my sister in the Army, I decided to make myself a first-generation Marine,” Hagen said.
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.
Hagen sees the value in RIMPAC.
“My impression of RIMPAC is that it is an incredible opportunity to witness and be a part of many countries coming together to train and better themselves,” Hagen said.
Hagen serves a military that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“I am a true patriot at heart and to serve my country in any aspect is a true blessing,” Hagen said.
Hagen is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my mom and dad, Tim and Theresa,” added Hagen. “They have shown me nothing but support through any struggle or challenge that has come my way.”
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.
More information about RIMPAC is available here: https://www.cpf.navy.mil/RIMPAC/