PEARL HARBOR—A 2016 Judge Memorial Catholic High School graduate and Bountiful native is serving in the U.S. Navy as part of the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC).

Lt. j.g. Ciarra Nafus serves aboard USS Sampson, currently operating out of Everett, Washington.

Nafus is responsible for Navy vessel navigation. She also serves as the electrical officer aboard the ship.

Today, Nafus uses skills and values similar to those learned in Bountiful.

“My family has instilled a strong-minded attitude and one of resilience, which has helped me focus and stay on track,” Nafus said.

As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC 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 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

The theme of RIMPAC 2022 is Capable, Adaptive, Partners. 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 war fighting. 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.

“The exercises are designed to enhance interoperability between partner nations,” Nafus said.

Serving in the Navy means Nafus is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy provides a global presence at sea to maintain freedom of navigation,” she said.“Traveling has been a great part of my career so far. I’m also proud of the men and women I serve with.”

—Tom Haraldsen