The event happens every two years, fosters global cooperation among its international participants and features incredible demonstrations of strength and power.
No, I’m not talking about the Olympics. (Good guess though.)
Held every two years, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) is a multinational maritime exercise taking place around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. This year’s 25th exercise, hosted by the world’s largest fleet command, the U.S. Pacific Fleet, included 45 surface ships, five submarines, 200 aircraft and over 250,000 personnel.
Participating countries included the U.S., Australia, and Canada (who have participated in all 25 RIMPACs since 1971), as well as Brunei, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, China, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga and the United Kingdom.
“RIMPAC 2016 was an unqualified success,” U.S. Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, commander of the U.S. 3rd Fleet, said in a press statement. “The collaboration and cohesiveness between participants proved that we can operate effectively with our partner nations and that we will be ready in the Pacific if or when we’re called upon.”
For a sense of the kind of incredible maritime force we’re talking about, check out the video footage below.
