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| Pacific Training Exercise (RIMPAC) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Pacific Training Exercise (RIMPAC) |
| Caption | Multinational naval maneuvers during a Pacific Training Exercise |
| Dates | Biennial (since 1971) |
| Type | Multinational naval exercise |
| Location | Pacific Ocean, Hawaiian Islands, Southern California |
| Participants | Multinational naval, air, and marine forces |
Pacific Training Exercise (RIMPAC) The Pacific Training Exercise (RIMPAC) is the world's largest multinational maritime exercise, held biennially to enhance interoperability among allied and partner navies, marine corps, air forces, and coast guards. RIMPAC brings together surface combatants, submarines, aircraft, amphibious ships, and shore facilities for live-fire, anti-submarine, humanitarian assistance, and command-and-control training in the central Pacific. The exercise fosters collaboration among participants such as the United States Navy, Royal Australian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Royal Navy, and numerous other regional and extra-regional services.
RIMPAC operates under the aegis of the United States Pacific Fleet and takes place in and around the Hawaiian Islands and waters off Southern California, incorporating ranges such as the Pacific Missile Range Facility and the Pearl Harbor operating areas. The exercise typically includes combined task groups, strike groups centered on aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, submarine operations involving Los Angeles-class and Virginia-class platforms, and maritime patrol aircraft like the P-8 Poseidon. RIMPAC participants practice with assets from the Royal Canadian Navy, Republic of Korea Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, French Navy, People's Liberation Army Navy (when invited), and numerous other navies, integrating command elements such as Commander, Task Force 76 and staff from United States Indo-Pacific Command.
RIMPAC began in 1971 as a bilateral series between the United States Navy and the Royal Australian Navy and expanded during the late 20th century to include NATO and Pacific Rim partners such as the Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. During the Cold War, RIMPAC scenarios emphasized anti-submarine warfare against threats exemplified by the Soviet Navy and integrated technologies like the AN/SQS-53 sonar and the Tomahawk cruise missile. Post-Cold War evolutions incorporated humanitarian assistance training after events involving the Indian Ocean tsunami response and the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, and counter-piracy cooperation following incidents in the Gulf of Aden. In the 21st century, RIMPAC introduced cyber and space-domain coordination with partners such as United States Cyber Command and United States Space Force-associated activities.
RIMPAC routinely includes over 20 nations and hundreds of ships, overflights by air arms like the Royal Australian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and amphibious elements from marine forces such as the United States Marine Corps and Royal Marines. Notable recurring participants include the Republic of Korea Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, French Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal Malaysian Navy, Peruvian Navy, Chilean Navy, Indonesian Navy, and multinational contributions from navies such as the Indian Navy and Italian Navy. Coast guard services such as the United States Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard have also joined for maritime law enforcement and search-and-rescue training. Strategic partners like the Australian Defence Force and bilateral task forces from the Philippine Navy and Singapore Navy enhance regional cooperation.
Key milestones include the inaugural 1971 exercise with the Royal Australian Navy; the expansion in the 1980s to include NATO-aligned navies such as the Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy; the 1998 iteration emphasizing multinational carrier operations with ships like USS Nimitz (CVN-68); the 2000s focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake; the 2012 inclusion of modern anti-piracy and counter-terrorism drills reflecting operations in the Gulf of Aden; the 2014 participation adjustments following diplomatic considerations involving the People's Republic of China and invitations to the People's Liberation Army Navy; and recent 21st-century iterations combining ballistic-missile defense exercises with allied agencies such as Missile Defense Agency. Significant events have included sink-exercise (SINKEX) live-fire demonstrations, integrated air-and-missile defense drills involving Aegis Combat System units, and complex amphibious assaults using USS Boxer (LHD-4) and USS Essex (LHD-2).
RIMPAC aims to improve interoperability across domains: surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, air defense, mine countermeasures, amphibious operations, maritime interdiction, and humanitarian assistance. Scenarios replicate contested littoral environments, joint force expeditionary operations similar to those conducted by the United States Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and coalition command-and-control practice akin to Combined Task Force structures. Training incorporates weapons employment using systems such as the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System, anti-ship missile defense exercises featuring the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, and integrated logistics planning involving Military Sealift Command-style replenishment at sea.
RIMPAC is planned and executed by a multinational headquarters led by a designated battle force commander from the United States Pacific Fleet with liaison officers from participating navies and organizations such as the NATO liaison when applicable. Logistics depend on joint support from bases including Naval Base San Diego, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, and civilian ports; sustainment uses vessels from Military Sealift Command and allied replenishment oilers like RFA Fort Victoria (A387). Airspace coordination engages agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration and regional joint commands; medical support leverages expeditionary units similar to those in United States Navy Hospital Corps and multinational field hospitals.
RIMPAC has faced criticism over environmental impacts from live-fire sink-exercises affecting marine life near Hawaiian Islands and protected areas, prompting scrutiny by organizations including the Sierra Club and legal actions invoking regional conservation statutes. Diplomatic controversies have arisen from invitations or exclusions of navies such as the People's Liberation Army Navy, affecting ties with the People's Republic of China and eliciting debate in legislatures like the United States Congress and parliaments of allied nations. Incidents have included peacetime collisions at sea involving vessels like JS Atago (DDG-177) and HMAS Melbourne (FFG 06), and mishaps during live ordnance events leading to safety reviews by entities such as the United States Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps and independent accident investigation boards.
Category:Naval exercises