08/18/2026
So very proud of Antonia our Alumni Class of 2016. May God bless and protect you always.
Saturday, July 25, 2026
Marine from the Bronx participates in world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise
By Chief Yeoman Vicki Sonnenberg, Navy Office of Community Outreach
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - Sgt. Antonia Paturzo, a native of the Bronx, New York, serves with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, a light infantry battalion 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
Paturzo graduated from Preston High School in 2020 and joined the Marine Corps six years ago.
“I joined the Marine Corps because I have always loved my country and wanted to serve in the most meaningful and impactful way possible,” Paturzo said. “Becoming a Marine gave me the opportunity to challenge myself while serving something much greater than myself.”
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Marine Corps are similar to those found in the Bronx.
“Growing up in New York City taught me how to interact with people from many different cultures and backgrounds,” Paturzo said. “Learning to communicate with people from all walks of life gave me a greater appreciation for different cultures and prepared me to work effectively with Marines and partner forces from around the world.”
Today, Paturzo serves as an ammunition chief.
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.
Paturzo plays an important role in the exercise.
“RIMPAC has been an incredible experience,” Paturzo said. “It has been rewarding to watch our partner nations strengthen their tactics and training while working together toward common objectives. Exercises like this demonstrate the importance of cooperation, interoperability and building lasting relationships. As the ground combat element ammunition chief and officer in charge of the Field Ammunition Supply Point, I oversee the accountability, distribution and management of ammunition supporting ground combat operations. My responsibilities ensure our Marines and partner forces have the resources they need to train safely and accomplish the mission.”
Paturzo serves a military that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Serving in the Marine Corps means everything to me,” Paturzo said. “I cannot imagine myself pursuing any other career because I truly love what I do. Every day provides an opportunity to serve my country, support my fellow Marines and contribute to something much greater than myself.”
Paturzo is grateful to others for helping make the Marine Corps career possible.
“I would like to thank my mother, Adele, my sister, Vittoria, and my faith in God for helping shape the woman I am today,” Paturzo said. “Their love, encouragement and guidance have given me the strength to overcome challenges and continue striving for excellence throughout my Marine Corps career. Serving in the Marine Corps has given me an incredible sense of accomplishment and purpose.”
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/
Navy Office Of Community Outreach at 1:38 AM
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