The ADF in RIMPAC 2022

Posted on August 17, 2022 | by Robbin Laird

08/17/2022

In an article published by the Australian Department of Defense on August 5, 2022, the engagement of the ADF in RIMPAC 2022 was summarized.

The Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) participation in the world’s largest international maritime exercise has come to an end.

The biennial Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) was conducted in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California from 29 June to 4 August 2022, and featured 38 surface ships, three submarines, nine national land forces, more than 170 aircraft and approximately 25,000 personnel from 26 nations.

RIMPAC 2022 saw an Australian contingent of approximately 1,600 personnel, HMA Ships Canberra, Supply and Warramunga, two RAAF P-8A Poseidon aircraft, Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving capabilities, and a Joint Landing Force led by the Townsville-based 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.

Commander Australian Contingent, Commodore Paul O’Grady, DSM, CSM, RAN who led the 19 nation maritime component of the exercise, highlighted the importance of the strong relationships built during RIMPAC 2022

“The interchangeability and strong relationships that are built at each RIMPAC help make the Indo-Pacific region more secure and our Defence Force more capable,” Commodore O’Grady said.

“RIMPAC demonstrates that we have the architecture to integrate forces, platforms and capabilities; and enables us to learn more about our partners and ourselves.

“The return to a full-scale exercise this year, demonstrated capable, adaptive partners working together to increase the interoperability, resiliency, and agility needed by the joint and combined force.”

Key highlights for Australia during RIMPAC 2022 included:

The first time Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment ship HMAS Supply’s participated in an international exercise, conducting 22 replenishments at sea to transfer over seven million litres of fuel.
Two United States Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey aircraft and support personnel embarked and integrated into HMAS Canberra for the duration of RIMPAC, advancing efforts to integrate the two nation’s amphibious forces.
Royal Australian Air Force and Indian Navy P-8 aircraft worked together to conduct anti-submarine warfare.
The Australian Army led a Multi-National Landing Force with ground elements from Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Mexico and the United States.
Royal Australian Navy Clearance Divers practiced underwater mine clearance and explosive ordnance disposal and worked with their peers from Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands and the United States.

First held in 1971, RIMPAC 2022 was the 28th iteration of the exercise.

A United States Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper helicopter and an United States Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom helicopter refuel on the flight deck of Royal Australian Navy Landing Helicopter Dock HMAS Canberra (L02) during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 in the Pacific Ocean. A United States Marine Corps UH- 1Y Venom and an AH-1Z Viper helicopters from HMLA-169 Squadron touched down on the flight deck of HMAS Canberra for a refuel during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2022. They were on the deck with the two United States MV-22B Osprey aircraft who were embarked in Canberra for the tactical phase of the exercise. Credit: ADF

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 12, 2022) Personnel from Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra (L02) prepare to unload equipment from an MV-22 Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 during flying operations as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 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 while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (Photo by Royal Australian Navy Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall)

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 12, 2022) An MV-22 Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165, lands aboard Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra (L02) during flying operations as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 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 while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (Photo by Royal Australian Navy Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall)

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 12, 2022) A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165, is secured on deck onboard Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra (L02) as a U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion flies overhead during flying operations as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (Photo by Royal Australian Navy Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall)

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 12, 2022) A U.S.Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion lands aboard Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra (L02) during flying operations as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 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 while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (Photo by Royal Australian Navy Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall)

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 12, 2022) A United States Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion lands onboard Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra (L02) during flying operations as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 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 while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (Photo by Royal Australian Navy Leading Seaman Matthew Lyall)