29th Edition of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise Commences in Honolulu

HONOLULU, Hawaii – The opening ceremony and press conference for the 29th edition of the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, the world’s largest international maritime exercise, took place today, marking the beginning of this significant event.

From now until August 1, approximately 29 nations will be participating with 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft, and more than 25,000 personnel. The exercise, conducted in and around the Hawaiian Islands, provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants crucial to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and global maritime security.

Vice Adm. John Wade, commander of the U.S. 3rd Fleet and RIMPAC 2024 Combined Task Force (CTF) commander, emphasized the importance of the exercise: “The Rim of the Pacific exercise has grown over the years to be the world’s largest and premier joint combined maritime training opportunity. The exercise’s purpose is to build relationships, to enhance interoperability and proficiency, and, ultimately, to contribute to peace and stability in the vitally-important Indo-Pacific region.”

The theme for RIMPAC 2024 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared.”

Historic Leadership

For the first time in RIMPAC history, a member of the Chilean Navy, Commodore Alberto Guerrero, will serve as the deputy commander of the CTF. Rear Adm. Kazushi Yokota of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will serve as the vice commander. Other key leaders include Commodore Kristjan Monaghan of the Royal Canadian Navy, who will command the maritime component, and Air Commodore Louise DesJardins of the Royal Australian Air Force, who will command the air component.

Largest Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Exercise

This year’s RIMPAC will feature its largest-ever humanitarian aid and disaster relief exercise, involving eight countries, five ships, five landing craft, five aircraft, multiple land forces, and over 2,500 participants, including those from the statewide Hawaii Healthcare Emergency Management exercise.

Comprehensive Training and Exercises

During RIMPAC, participating forces will integrate and exercise a wide range of capabilities, including:

• Disaster relief
• Maritime security operations
• Sea control
• Complex warfighting
• Amphibious operations
• Gunnery
• Missile exercises
• Anti-submarine and air defense exercises
• Military medicine
• Humanitarian assistance
• Disaster relief
• Counter-piracy
• Mine clearance operations
• Explosive ordnance disposal
• Diving and salvage operations

With inclusivity at its core, RIMPAC fosters multinational cooperation and trust, leverages interoperability, and achieves respective national objectives to strengthen integrated, prepared coalition partners.

For more information and updates on RIMPAC 2024, visit RIMPAC 2024. Additional questions or queries can be directed to [email protected].