Seekonk Native Participates in Multinational Maritime Exercise in Black Sea

Millington, Tenn. — A 2008 Seekonk High School and 2013 Rhode Island College graduate and Seekonk, Massachusetts, native participated in Sea Breeze 2019, a multinational maritime exercise in the Black Sea, July 1-12.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Charest, a U.S. Navy mass communication specialist assigned to Armed Forces Network Naples, took part in the exercise which focused on multiple warfare areas including maritime interdiction operations, air defense, anti-submarine warfare, damage control, search and rescue and amphibious operations.

"We rely heavily on our men and women in uniform to remain ready and vigilant in an increasingly complex environment, while they work closely with our NATO allies and partners to ensure regional stability,” said Vice Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. “Each and every sailor and Marine who is here in Ukraine participating in exercise Sea Breeze 2019 is absolutely essential to the success of this exercise, and we could not be more proud of their hard work and commitment.”

As a mass communication specialist, Charest is responsible for telling the Navy's and its sailors stories through photojournalism, video and broadcast radio.

Charest has carried lessons learned from his hometown into his military service.

“I studied mass media communication in college and have definitely transferred that into the U.S. Navy,” said Charest.

This was the 19th iteration of Sea Breeze in which naval forces from 19 nations contributed in the annual exercise co-hosted by the Ukrainian and U.S. Navies aiming to improve interoperability while promoting regional security and peace.

Nations scheduled to participate in Sea Breeze include Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“This year we will focus on strengthening our partnerships and building upon the friendships that have been established for years,” said Capt. Matthew Lehmann, commodore of U.S. Destroyer Squadron 60.

U.S. participation included the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney, a P-8A Poseidon from Patrol Squadron NINE, Navy Underwater Construction Team-1B, U.S. Marines from Marine Rotational Force-Europe and members of the Commander, Naval Forces Europe/Africa and Commander, U.S. Naval 6th Fleet staffs. In total, approximately 600 U.S. sailors and Marines participated.

“I enjoy meeting people and learning how they operate. To expand your mind and learn about people and customs outside of where you grow up gives you great perspective,” said Charest. “Serving in the military is something I'd regret if I never did. Being able to live outside America and experience new cultures while representing America is something I embrace. I believe non-Americans have a better understanding of what we are all about culturally and militarily after meeting me and my colleagues.”