RIMPAC, the worlds largest naval exercise, began June 26 with ships from 22 nations, including China, participating in the waters off the Hawaiian Islands.
This year’s exercise, the 24th in the biennial series that began in 1971, involves 49 surface ships, 6 submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel. Many of the ships, aircraft and crews are based in San Diego.
The navies involved include those of Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the People’s Republic of China, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Tonga, the United Kingdom and, of course, the United States.
The exercise, which takes is name from the “rim of the Pacific,” concludes Aug. 1.