Cmdr. Joseph D. Phillips, a native of Knoxville, Iowa, commands the USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117). He enlisted in the Navy in 1996 as a Fire Controlman, advancing to Chief Petty Officer before commissioning as a Limited Duty Officer, and later designated as a Surface Warfare Officer. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Systems Management from Excelsior University and a Master’s Degree in Military Studies from Marine Corps University.
His sea duty assignments have included Close-In Weapons System and Rolling Airframe Missile technician, USS Essex LHD 2) and USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3); Strike Division Leading Chief Petty Officer, USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and USS Mustin (DDG 89) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He also served as Bomb Assembly Officer on the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and Systems Test Officer on the USS Antietam (CG 54). His leadership roles continued as Weapons and Combat Systems Officer on USS Momsen (DDG 92) and Executive Officer on USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117).
Ashore, Phillips commanded Navy Munitions Command Unit Misawa, providing direct support to disaster relief during Operation Tomodachi. Additional notable tours include Flag Aide to the Program Executive for the Missile Defense Agency and Surface Requirements Officer for the Chief of Naval Operations, N9 Special Programs. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and multiple Navy-Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement Medals.
Petty Officer 1st Class Laurian Kilindo serves aboard the USS Howard (DDG 83). Hometown: Weatherford, Texas. Wanting to work on engines, Kilindo enlisted in the Navy in 2014 and is a Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical). Before coming to USS Howard, he served in USS Antietam (CG 54), USS Monterey (CG 61), and Pre-trial Confinement Facility Yokosuka. Kilindo likes close-knit teamwork on the Howard and all the opportunities the ship has to visit ports. He is setting time in Yokosuka, Japan, aside from the fact that major cities – such as Yokohama and Tokyo – are relatively close by. He also attributes having gained a lot of personal growth from the Navy experience.
Meanwhile in Honolulu, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea joined the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2024, the world’s largest maritime exercise. They reinforced the strategic imperative of interoperability with Allies and partners. Franchetti called RIMPAC a signature event for building interoperability while keeping the seas free. Honea thanked Sailors for serving and for their readiness.
Franchetti and Honea embarked on several U.S. and partner nation ships including the Virginia-class fast-attack submarines USS Hawaii (SSN 776) and USS Minnesota (SSN 783), to congratulate the crews on their successful maintenance periods. Franchetti reinforced the need to get the submarines operational as a means to continue to deter adversaries. They also commended the USS Illinois (SSN 786) crew for their success in the “Every Sailor a Recruiter” program.
These included a meeting with senior naval leaders from Australia, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Singapore to reinforce the importance of Indo-Pacific partnerships. Franchetti said such partnerships are essential to the security of the world’s oceans. The CNO and MCPON stopped by ships from the Republic of Korea, Japan, and New Zealand, observing the exercise and thanking service members for their participation.
Now in its 29th iteration, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity designed to foster and strengthen cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans while building interoperability and complex warfighting capabilities.