2016-07-05 According to an article by the Commander, US Third Fleet Public Affairs published on 6/23/16:
SAN DIEGO – Twenty-six nations, 45 ships, five submarines, more than 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 30 to Aug. 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.
The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans.
RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
Hosted by U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2016 will be led by U.S. Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, commander of the U.S. 3rd Fleet (C3F), who will serve as the Combined Task Force (CTF) commander.
Royal Australian Navy Rear Adm. Scott Bishop will serve as deputy commander of the CTF, and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Rear Adm. Koji Manabe as the vice commander.
Other key leaders of the multinational force will include Commodore Malcolm Wise of the Royal Australian Navy, who will command the maritime component; Brig. Gen. Blaise Frawley of the Royal Canadian Air Force, who will command the air component; and the amphibious task force will be led by Royal New Zealand Navy Commodore James Gilmour.
Three nations, Denmark, Germany, and Italy will participate in RIMPAC for the first time, in 2016.
This year the Trident Warrior experimentation series, will highlight fleet innovation during the see amphibious operations in the Southern California operating area, and feature a harpoon missile shoot from an LCS, the U.S. Navy’s newest surface platform.
The theme of RIMPAC 2016 is “Capable, Adaptive, Partners.”
The participating nations and forces will 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 amphibious operations, gunnery, missile, anti-submarine, and air defense exercises as well as counter-piracy, mine clearance operations, explosive ordnance disposal, and diving and salvage operations.
This year’s exercise includes forces from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, People’s Republic of China, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen scheduling commitments, Brazil is unable to participate in RIMPAC ’16.
We value our partnership with the Brazilian Navy and look forward to them taking part in RIMPAC 2018.
Video: PEARL HARBOR (June 29, 2016)
The People’s Republic of China People’s Liberation Army (Navy) replenishment ship Gaoyaohu (966) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for Rim of the Pacific 2016.
(U.S. Navy Video By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Meranda Keller/RELEASED)