Rim of the Pacific

An Australian commands air power at the world’s largest naval exercise

The largest naval exercise in the world was held around the Hawaiian islands in July. The biennial RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) exercise involves US and allied forces who have interests in the Pacific region, as well as invited non-aligned nations such as China and India, with a view to increasing cooperation and communication between these forces in various operational and humanitarian scenarios.

The RIMPAC series started in 1971, and for 2014 it ran from June 26 to August 1. The exercise involved 49 surface vessels, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft, and about 25,000 personnel from 22 countries. Participating nations comprised the US, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, China, Peru, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Tonga and the UK.