RIMPAC 2010 Officially Concludes as Ships Return to Pearl Harbor

Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Brian Becker, front, from Salt Lake City, and Logistics Specialist 3rd Class James Heckwine, from Decatur, Ill., run to safety after connecting a cargo pendant to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Eightballers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 during a vertical replenishment aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is underway participating in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010, a biennial, multinational exercise designed to strengthen regional partnerships and improve multinational interoperability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Stirrup, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Top military leaders from 14 partner nations held a press conference at Merry Point Landing on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) July 30, officially marking the end of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010 exercise.

A total of 32 ships and five submarines from seven nations returned to JBPHH July 30-31 after successfully completing the exercise.

"RIMPAC has clearly achieved everything we set it up to do," said Vice Adm. Richard Hunt, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet and commander, Combined Task Force. "We all met our training objectives and in doing so, as an international force, we have increased our interoperability, built upon our solid relationships, and improved the readiness, capability and capacity of the Pacific maritime forces."

The U.S. Pacific Fleet-event commenced June 23 in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands, involving more than 20,000 personnel from Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Peru, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.

The exercise was designed to increase the operational and tactical proficiency of participating units in a wide array of maritime operations by enhancing military-to-military relations and interoperability.

The senior Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) leader, Rear Adm. Kazuki Yamashita, deputy commander of Combined Task Force, stated that RIMPAC was very important in helping establish maritime security in the Pacific.

"I would like to express my appreciation to [the] U.S. Navy who supported this exercise, and our friends of all nations who gave us (a) great impression about their professionalism," said Yamashita.

"From the Canadian perspective, RIMPAC 2010 has been a terrific opportunity for all of our forces," said Canadian Navy Rear Adm. Ron Lloyd and the maritime component commander for RIMPAC.

"The performance of all the participants across the various task forces in the maritime component were superbly planned and brilliantly executed which speaks to the tremendous leadership of the task force commanders all the way down to the individual units. All of the participating nations should be exceptionally proud of how their forces represented their respective countries in an extremely dynamic, challenging and complex exercise," said Lloyd.

During the exercise, participating countries conducted three sinking exercises, which included 140 discrete live-fire events - 30 surface-to-air engagements, 40 air-to-air missile engagements, 12 surface-to-surface engagements, 76 laser guided bombs and more than 1,000 rounds of naval gunfire from 20 surface combatants. In addition, units flew more than 3100+ air sorties, completed numerous maritime interdiction and vessel boardings, explosive ordnance disposal, diving and salvage operations and mine clearance operations and 10 major experiments – the major one the Marine Corps Enhanced Company Operations experiment.

Ground forces from five countries completed five amphibious landings, including nine helicopter born amphibious landings and 560 troops from ship-to-shore.

In all, 960 different training events were schedule and 96 percent were completed in all areas of the Hawaiian operations area – from Kaneohe Bay and Bellows, to the Pacific Missile Range Facility, to the Pohakuloa Training Area on the main island of Hawaii.

"It is this trust and confidence that we've developed amongst our international participants that is perhaps the most important aspect of RIMPAC. It is the one that is enduring," said Hunt. "It is this that will provide huge benefits in the realm of increased maritime security for years to come."

RIMPAC is the world's largest multinational maritime exercise. This year's RIMPAC exercise themed "Combined Agility, Synergy and Support," marked the 22nd exercise in the series that originated in 1971.

International RIMPAC Observers Embark Bonhomme Richard

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Ryan Tabios, USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs Office


Naval officers from Russia, Mexico and Colombia visited the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) (BHR) July 25 as part of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008 Foreign Observer Program.

"The intent of the visit was to provide them with information concerning RIMPAC as it pertains to coalition interaction," said Commodore, Amphibious Squadron 7 Capt. Rodney Clark. "Hopefully, this will give them confidence to participate in future coalition operations and future RIMPAC exercises."

The visitors toured BHR's bridge, medical facilities, aviation electronics shop, well deck and observed flight operations from vulture's row.

"The visit is a testament to the continuing international appeal that the RIMPAC exercise has to countries and their respective navies around the Pacific theater," said Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Petersen, visit coordinator. "RIMPAC provides an excellent opportunity for coalition partners to exercise and improve upon interoperability while operating in a multinational environment."

BHR is currently in the Hawaii operating region for the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. RIMPAC is the world's largest multinational exercise and is scheduled biennially by the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Participants include the United States, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, the Netherlands, Peru, Republic of Korea, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Adaptive Force Packaging Staff Integral Part of NECC's RIMPAC Success

By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Dave Nagle, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- As Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) units prepare for the tactical portion of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008 exercise, its' headquarters staff is gearing up to coordinate the expeditionary forces' efforts for the first time during the biennial exercise.

An expeditionary adaptive force package (AFP) staff, manned primarily by personnel from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 1 in San Diego, stood up July 18 to provide command and control for all NECC forces participating in RIMPAC.

The AFP staff, designated Commander, Task Force 171 (CTF 171), oversees various task groups of expeditionary capabilities, including explosive ordnance disposal, expeditionary construction, expeditionary logistics, maritime civil affairs, maritime expeditionary security and expeditionary diving and salvage.

While some of these capabilities have participated in RIMPAC in the past, the AFP staff element is a new addition, providing unity of command and unity of effort for the expeditionary forces.

"What the AFP staff element brings to a warfighting commander, whether Navy or joint, is a single point that can synchronize a broad spectrum of expeditionary capabilities, many of which are geographically dispersed," said Capt. Barry Coceano, Commander, CTF 171.

During RIMPAC, in addition to the units on Oahu, the AFP staff is overseeing distributed operations by Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 in Guam.

To aid in the ability of the AFP staff to manage these diverse expeditionary assets, many of which have not operated together in the past, liaison officers (LNOs) from the various task groups are integrated into the AFP staff.

"These LNOs bring subject matter expertise from each of the task groups, which gives us the ability to speak the same language as the various task groups," said Lt. Cmdr. Chad Houllis, operations officer for CTF 171. "We have officers from Maritime Civil Affairs, Maritime Expeditionary Security, Expeditionary Logistics and the Seabees integrated into our battle rhythm."

EODGRU 1 exercised the AFP concept during a command post exercise as part of a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) in January. Houllis said that many of the lessons learned in that initial exercise are being applied at RIMPAC.

"During the JTFEX in January, it was just the AFP staff and we pretty much started from scratch as a command staff," Houllise said. "We developed and refined the processes and products at the staff level and have taken it to the next level during RIMPAC, where we've got actual forces in the field. Those lessons learned enhanced our ability to provide command and control during RIMPAC."

Another factor that has enhanced the AFP staff's effectiveness is that the LNOs on the staff at RIMPAC are the same people that participated in January's JTFEX.

"That's given the staff continuity and provided a seamless transition from JTFEX to RIMPAC.

Riverine Group 1 is also exercising a similar AFP with NECC forces as part of JTFEX "Operation Brimstone" in North Carolina and off the U.S. east coast.

Port Royal Shoots Missiles, Hunts Submarines, Fires Guns During RIMPAC

By Lt. j.g. Cassidy Rasmussen, Rim of the Pacific Public Affairs

USS PORT ROYAL, At Sea (NNS) -- During Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008, which runs from June 29 through July 31, USS Port Royal (CG 73) fired nearly every weapon system aboard and tested every sensor in operations with ships, submarines and aircraft from the U.S. and seven other countries.

The Port Royal crew gained valuable experience conducting both surface and anti-submarine warfare operations. During one training opportunity, the cruiser worked with units from Chile and the Republic of Korea to track an Australian diesel submarine.

"It's really important for us to get real-world experience searching for and tracking diesel submarines," said Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SW) Tara Kerrin. "We have simulators, but nothing can simulate actually working in a realistic [operational] environment. The U.S. doesn't have diesel subs anymore, so exercises like RIMPAC give us a great training opportunity with other navies."

In another training evolution, the ship had the opportunity to fire an SM-2 standard air-attack missile.

"We have practiced it so much, but there's a point in the launch sequence where we can't simulate anymore – we only see it when it's the real thing," said Lt. j.g. Corry Lougee, Port Royal fire control officer. "We got to that point, and it was intense."

"The training is invaluable," said Capt. David Adler, Port Royal commanding officer. "The opportunities we have during these few weeks to see our equipment and people operate in real-world environments can't be replicated in scenarios. It's also a chance for us to see how well we can integrate with our partner navies and try new methods and tactics. RIMPAC is an exciting event, and I embrace this opportunity for Port Royal to represent the U.S."

Combined and joint military exercises like RIMPAC demonstrate the Navy's commitment to working with global partners to protect the maritime freedom that is the basis for global prosperity.

"I'm excited and really looking forward to this cruise," said Midshipman 1st Class Samantha Greco, who is from the Northwestern University's recruit officer training command unit in Evanston, Ill. Greco is underway with Port Royal for the four-week RIMPAC at-sea phase.

"I want to be a surface warfare officer, and this month is going to give me a snapshot of everything the surface Navy does."

RIMPAC, hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, is the world's largest biennial maritime exercise. It demonstrates the Navy's commitment to working with our global partners in protecting the maritime freedom as a basis for global prosperity and to ensure stability throughout the Pacific. Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, Vice Adm. Samuel J. Locklear is the Combined Task Force commander responsible for overall exercise coordination.

RIMPAC has been conducted since 1971. This year's exercise consists of 10 nations, 35 ships, six submarines, over 150 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Soldiers and Coast Guardsmen. Participants include Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Netherlands, Peru, Republic of Korea, Singapore, United Kingdom and the United States.

Bonhomme Richard Back At Sea for RIMPAC

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Webb, USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs



Following a 14-day port visit to Pearl Harbor, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) (BHR) returned to sea July 11 to participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.

BHR will spend several days conducting flight deck and well deck operations as well as other drills and evolutions in preparation for the tactical phase of the exercise.

"This is an excellent opportunity to prepare us for what we do anyway," said Capt. Neil R. Parrott, BHR commanding officer. "The ship just emerged from three months of maintenance availability in San Diego, so this allows us to get our skills back up to speed. As expected, though, BHR's crew has picked right back up without missing a beat."

During RIMPAC, BHR is transporting a special marine air ground task force, consisting of Marines from the 3rd Marine Regiment and Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 362, as well as units from the Australian and Canadian Armies and three observers from the Republic of Korea.

This interaction with partner nations, in addition to a number of joint and combined evolutions throughout the week, enhances BHR's interoperability with the other participating nations.

"Our maritime strategy is all about doing things with our partner nations," Parrott explained. "They depend on what we're doing whether it's a response to a natural disaster or humanitarian assistance, and we depend on them. We're not going to go it alone; we'll always do it with coalition partners.

"RIMPAC really strengthens our bonds with the participating nations and teaches us how to work together with other armed forces."

RIMPAC Touted as Largest Maritime Exercise in World

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Wallace Ciccarelli, Fleet Public Affairs Detachment Hawaii Public Affairs

Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet and Combined Task Force RIMPAC, Vice Adm. Samuel J. Locklear met with media at Naval Station Pearl Harbor to inform the public and to answer questions about this year's Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.

RIMPAC, hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet every two years, demonstrates the Navy's dedication to working with global allies in the region, protecting maritime freedoms and ensuring stability throughout the Pacific Rim.

"RIMPAC is the largest maritime exercise in the world. This year we bring together ten countries, over 35 ships, six submarines, over 150 aircraft and their crews and over 20,000 of the finest men and women the world can produce," said Locklear.

RIMPAC allows the U.S. Navy to remain a powerful component of combined and joint warfare and exhibits close cooperation with other services and international partners.

"The RIMPAC exercise is recognition of the global security environment we are in. It's a recognition that no one county can maintain the global security environment, and it requires all of us to work together to acquire this goal," said Locklear.

This year's RIMPAC exercise kicked off June 29 and continues through July 31 in the Hawaiian Islands area of operations.

"I cannot thank the people of the great state of Hawaii enough on how they have opened their arms to us and making us feel welcome here," Locklear said.

This is the 21st in a series of RIMPAC exercises conducted periodically since 1971.

RIMPAC brings together maritime, air and land forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Netherlands, Peru, Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. This multinational exercise aims to prepare forces to be ready for a wide range of potential combined and joint operations and missions.

Russia Accepts RIMPAC Invitation

Russia has accepted an invitation to participate in this summer's Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval exercises, Adm. Robert Willard, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, stated at the 7th annual Hawaii-U.S. Military Partnership Conference Jan. 3.

"Whether that will continue to hold, given the political dynamic associated with the Russian military and ours and our various administrations will remain to be seen," Willard said, "but they showed up at the mid-planning conference (in November) with an expectation to actually participate this year. That is great progress."

RIMPAC is a biennial, multinational exercise held in Hawaiian waters. Russia was invited to observe the 2004 and 2006 RIMPAC exercises but did not send observers.

"Russia is a member of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium, and Russian participation in RIMPAC would further U.S. Maritime Strategy objectives of developing collaborative partnerships and strengthening collective security," Pacific Fleet spokesman Mark Matsunaga said.

"Working together with partners in the Pacific builds confidence and trust to allow the partners to focus on common threats, combat transnational crime, strengthen maritime security and achieve mutual interests," Matsunaga said.

China has not been invited to participate or observe RIMPAC 08. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-65) precludes direct military-to-military contacts with China, except for search-and-rescue and humanitarian assistance operations.

A small Chinese contingent did observe RIMPAC in 1998, before that law was passed.

In 2006, a waiver to the restrictions allowed a Chinese team to observe a portion of the Valiant Shield exercise off Guam. However, there are no plans to invite China as a participant or observer for RIMPAC 2008.