RIMPAC#RIMPAC 2010

File:Abraham-Lincoln-battlegroup.jpg carrier battle group along with ships from Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, and South Korea during RIMPAC 2000.]]

The first RIMPAC, held in 1971, involved forces from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US). Australia, Canada, and the US have participated in every RIMPAC since then. Other regular participants are Chile, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Peru, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. The Royal New Zealand Navy was frequently involved until the 1985 ANZUS nuclear ships dispute and was subsequently absent, until returning to take part in more recent RIMPACs since 2012.

While not contributing any ships, observer nations are involved in RIMPAC at the strategic level and use the opportunity to prepare for possible full participation in the future.

The United States contingent has included an aircraft carrier strike group, submarines, up to a hundred aircraft and 20,000 Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and their respective officers. The size of the exercises varies from year to year.

In the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, both houses of the US Congress have called for a Taiwanese participation of RIMPAC 2022 in the face of "increasingly coercive and aggressive behavior" by China.{{Cite web|author=Brad Lendon|title=Invite Taiwan to naval exercises, US defense act says|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/28/asia/taiwan-us-military-rimpac-exercise-intl-hnk-ml/index.html|access-date=2021-12-30|work=CNN|date=29 December 2021 }}

File:Carriers and escorts near Hawaii during RIMPAC 1972.jpg

As discussed previously, the first RIMPAC was in 1971.

{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2023}}

RIMPAC '88 took place in June 1988, and involved the navies of Japan, Australia, Canada and the United States, as well United States Air Force B-52s.

Two US battle groups staged out of Pearl Harbor for the exercise: The USS Nimitz carrier battle group and the USS Missouri battleship battle group.

Following routine training exercises to enhance the multinational forces' abilities to operate together, the two battle groups were split into opposing forces and a pre-set war game scenario was put into action.

The Missouri battle group, with USS Long Beach, HMAS Darwin, HMAS Hobart and other escort and supply ships, assumed the role of "aggressor" and conducted an imaginary takeover of the friendly island of "Wombat", a fictitious name given to the island of Lanai, as part of the war game exercise.

The USS Nimitz carrier battle group, accompanied by at least one submarine and Japanese and Canadian Navy frigates and destroyers, sortied from Pearl Harbor in order to "rescue" Wombat from the aggressor force.

Soviet intelligence "trawlers" constantly sailed the waters near the entrance of Pearl Harbor during the exercise, "fishing" for radio transmissions and trying to follow warships as they left the harbor. Thus, the US Navy would often sortie many more ships than those needed to participate in the exercise, enticing the trawlers to follow them to sea. After the participating ships left harbor, the decoy fleet would then lead the Soviet trawlers back to Pearl Harbor, leaving the Soviet captains wondering where the carriers and battleships went.

The much larger carrier battle group eventually "won" the exercise, as was expected, and peace loving "Wombat" was liberated. Testing and perfecting the joint interoperability of the various nation's navies was the ultimate goal. To this end, neither side "lost".

File:USS Missouri (BB-63) RIMPAC-90.jpg

RIMPAC 1992 took place between 19 June and 2 August 1992.{{Cite web |title=Qantas: Why no prior notice of Navy war games? |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/07/14/Qantas-Why-no-prior-notice-of-Navy-war-games/2580711086400/ |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=UPI |language=en}} Among the vessels' taking part was the aircraft carrier {{USS|Kitty Hawk|CV-63|6}}, which was assigned to Battle Force X-Ray, which included ten Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessels, including the submarine {{ship|JDS|Mochishio|SS-574|6}}.{{Cite web |title=Kitty Hawk II (CVA-63) |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/k/kitty-hawk-cva-63-ii.html |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=NHHC |language=en-US}}

During the exercise, a minor incident occurred when on 13 July 1992, a Qantas Boeing 747-400 flying from Los Angeles to Sydney inadvertently entered into the exercise's area near Hawaii.{{Cite web |date=1992-07-14 |title=Qantas Flight Diverted by Navy Threat of Force |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-07-14-mn-3940-story.html |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} The aircraft's crew soon overheard a radio warning from the cruiser {{USS|Cowpens|CG-63|6}} that 'hostile action' would be taken against any United States Air Force (USAF) aircraft (playing the role of the pretend aggressor) attempting to enter the Cowpens' defensive area.{{Cite web |title=U.S. apologizes for incident involving Australian airliner |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/07/14/US-apologizes-for-incident-involving-Australian-airliner/7372711086400/ |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=UPI |language=en}}

The message was accidentally broadcast on the International Air Distress Frequency instead of the internal military radio network, leading to the 747 obeying the warning and leaving the area, despite the airliner not being in any danger. This led to the US apologizing to the Australian Government. A Qantas spokesperson stated that the flight was only delayed by 19 minutes.

RIMPAC 1994 involved 57 vessels, and more than 200 aircraft from the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Canada.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MNDBo3U_wWEC&dq=rimpac+1994&pg=PA15 |title=Marines, Volume 23, Issue 8 |publisher=United States Marines Corps |year=1994}} These included {{USS|Independence|CV-62|6}} and her carrier battle group, {{USS|Constellation|CV-64|6}} battlegroup, the {{USS|Essex|LHD-2|6}} amphibious ready group{{Cite book |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/archives/command-operation-reports/ship-command-operation-reports/l/lake-erie-cg-70/1994.pdf |title=USS Lake Erie CG-70 Command Operations Report - 1994 |publisher=United States Navy |year=1995}} and the Kitty Hawk{{'}}s battlegroup.{{Cite book |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/archives/command-operation-reports/aviation-squadron-command-operation-reports/vaw/vaw-115/pdf/1994.pdf |title=VAW-115 Liberty Bells Command Operations Report - 1994 |publisher=United States Navy |year=1995}} RIMPAC's boundaries that year reached as far west as Midway Island. During the exercise, the Independence{{'}}s air wing (CVW-5) conducted war-at-sea strikes against the Kitty Hawk, with the support of Japanese and US vessels.

File:A-6E of VA-115 is launched from USS Independence (CV-62) in 1995.JPEG launching off {{USS|Independence|CV-62|6}} in 1995]]

RIMPAC 1996 involved more than 48 ships and 200 aircraft.{{Cite web |title=CNN - War games on a global scale - June 15, 1996 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/US/9606/15/rimpac.96/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811221448/http://edition.cnn.com/US/9606/15/rimpac.96/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 August 2022 |access-date=2022-08-11 |work=CNN}} Among these vessels were the US carriers Independence, Kitty Hawk and their respective carrier battle groups. Like in RIMPAC '94, the Independence conducted air operations against the Kitty Hawk battle group.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEsA4OQcCUU|title=USS Independence Video Cruisebook 1996|date=27 May 2019|via=YouTube}}{{unreliable source?|date=October 2022}}

This exercise was notable for the accidental shooting down of a US Navy aircraft by a JMSDF vessel. On 3 June 1996, an A-6E SWIP Intruder from VA-115 (NF-500, BuNo 155704) based on board the Independence was shot down around {{convert|1600|mi}} west of Hawaii by CWIS fire from {{ship|JDS|Yūgiri|DD-153|6}}.{{Cite web |last=Newdick |first=Thomas |date=2021-06-04 |title=The Last Time A Japanese Warship Shot Down A U.S. Navy Plane Was Actually Not So Long Ago |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/40937/the-last-time-a-japanese-warship-shot-down-a-u-s-navy-plane-was-actually-not-so-long-ago |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=The Drive |language=en}}

At the time of the incident (4:15PM) in clear skies, the Intruder was at {{cvt|700|ft}}, towing a target for Yūgiri to shoot down. The radar aboard the destroyer instead locked on to the radar signature of the Intruder and fired on it. The engines caught fire, with the hydraulics seizing up before the crew safely ejected. Initially thought to be mechanical, it was later determined to be human error.

RIMPAC 1996 was the first time that the Chilean Navy was involved in the exercise.

From July 6 until August 6, 1998, RIMPAC 98 took place in the waters off Hawaii and included participants from six Pacific nations.{{cite web |title=RIMPAC 98 |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/art/exhibits/conflicts-and-operations/the-navy-art-from-rimpac-98.html/1000 |website=Naval History and Heritage Command |access-date=7 May 2025}} The exercise brought together maritime forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States.{{cite web |title=Rim of the Pacific Exercise |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/rimpac.htm |website=Globalsecurity website |access-date=7 May 2025}} Notably this was HMAS Perth's (D38) last RIMPAC before being decommissioned.{{cite web |title=D38 1990s |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMAS_Perth_(D_38)#1990s |website=Wikipedia |access-date=7 May 2025}}

From 30 May until 6 July 2000, RIMPAC 2000 took place near Hawaii under the command of Vice Adm. Dennis McGinn. It included the naval forces of Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. Over 50 ships, 200 aircraft, and 22,000 personnel participated in the exercise. RIMPAC 2000 encompassed a large combined-arms operation involving a number of land, sea, and air assets. The scale of the exercise was used to test the new Coalition-Wide Area Network (C-WAN), which connected all of the ships involved with the designated command ship of the exercise, USS Coronado.{{Cite web |title=Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/rimpac.htm |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=www.globalsecurity.org}}

Training operations during RIMPAC 2000 included surface warfare, amphibious landing operations, a sinking exercise (SINKEX), air operations, and the first humanitarian exercise in the history of RIMPAC.

File:US Navy 100724-N-5684M-823 USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) transits the Pacific Ocean with ships assigned to Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010 combined task force as part of a photo exercise north of Hawaii.jpg

File:US Navy 100719-N-7042V-107 Royal Australian Navy Leading Seaman Livingston Harrison, foreground, U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Joe Spence and Columbian navy Lt. Cmdr. Anibal Limbo stand watch in Sea Combat Control a.jpg

On 23 June 2010, U.S. Pacific Fleet commander Admiral Patrick M. Walsh and Combined Task Force commander Vice Admiral Richard W. Hunt announced the official start of the month-long 2010 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise during a press conference held in Lockwood Hall at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam. RIMPAC 2010 was the 22nd exercise in the series that originated in 1971.{{cite web |last=Logico |first=Mark | title=RIMPAC 2010 Officially Opens |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=54370 | work=NNS100629-22 | publisher=Commander Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs |date=29 June 2010 | access-date=28 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108021121/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=54370 |archive-date=8 November 2013 |url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite web |last=Stirrup |first=Robert |title=RIMPAC 2010 Officially Concludes as Ships Return to Pearl Harbor |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=55058 |work=NNS100802-16 |publisher=Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs |date=2 August 2010 |access-date=28 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921180637/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=55058 |archive-date=21 September 2012 |url-status=dead }} 32 ships, 5 submarines, over 170 aircraft, and 20,000 personnel participated in RIMPAC 2010, the world's largest multi-national maritime exercise.{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=55188 |title=USS Ronald Reagan Returns from RIMPAC 2010 |last=Votaw |first=Stephen |date=8 August 2008 |work=NNS100808-01 |publisher=USS Ronald Reagan Public Affairs |access-date=28 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822044512/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=55188 |archive-date=22 August 2013 |url-status=dead }}

RIMPAC 2010 brought together units and personnel from Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Peru, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States. During the exercise, participating countries conducted gunnery, missile, anti-submarine, and air defense exercises, as well as maritime interdiction and vessel boarding, explosive ordnance disposal, diving and salvage operations, mine clearance operations, and an amphibious landing. RIMPAC 2010 also emphasized littoral operations with ships like the U.S. littoral combat ship {{USS|Freedom|LCS-1|2}}, the French frigate {{ship|French frigate|Prairial||2}}, and the Singaporean {{sclass|Formidable|frigate|1}} RSS Supreme.

On 28 June 2010, the aircraft carrier {{USS|Ronald Reagan||2}} arrived in Pearl Harbor to participate in RIMPAC 2010. Ronald Reagan was the only aircraft carrier to participate in this exercise. During the in-port phase of RIMPAC, officers and crew of the 14 participating navies interact in receptions, meetings, and athletic events.{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=54347 |title=USS Ronald Reagan Arrives in Hawaii for RIMPAC 2010 |last=Stevens |first=Aaron |date=30 June 2010 |work=NNS100630-09 |publisher=USS Ronald Reagan Public Affairs |access-date=28 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325102100/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=54347 |archive-date=25 March 2014 |url-status=dead }} Ronald Reagan completed its Tailored Ships Training Availability (TSTA) exercises prior to RIMPAC 2010.

During 6–7 July 2010, 32 naval vessels and five submarines from seven nations departed Pearl Harbor to participate in Phase II of RIMPAC 2010. This phase included live fire gunnery and missile exercises; maritime interdiction and vessel boardings; and anti-surface warfare, undersea warfare, naval maneuvers and air defense exercises. Participants also collaborated in explosive ordnance disposal; diving and salvage operations; mine clearance operations; and amphibious operations.{{cite web |last=Stirrup |first=Robert |title=Ships Depart Pearl Harbor for RIMPAC 2010 Exercises |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=54554 |work=NNS100708-18 |publisher=Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs |date=9 July 2010 |access-date=28 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924052305/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=54554 |archive-date=24 September 2010 |url-status=dead }} Phase III involved scenario-driven exercises designed to further strengthen maritime skills and capabilities.

During RIMPAC 2010, over 40 naval personnel from Singapore, Japan, Australia, Chile, Peru, and Colombia managed combat exercises while serving aboard Ronald Reagan. This involved managing anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare for Carrier Strike Group Seven and the entire RIMPAC force, including the use of radar, charts, and high-tech devices to monitor, chart, and communicate with other ships and submarines. Tactical action officers from the different countries coordinated the overall operational picture and provided direction and administration to the enlisted personnel involved in the Sea Combat Control (SCC) activities.{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=54880 |title=USS Ronald Reagan Hosts International Navies for Sea Combat Control Exercises During RIMPAC 2010 |last=Votaw |first=Stephen |date=24 July 2010 |work=NNS100724-06 |publisher=USS Ronald Reagan Public Affairs |access-date=28 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325100603/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=54880 |archive-date=25 March 2014 |url-status=dead }} Also, Ronald Reagan conducted a live Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launch, firing at a simulated target, the first since 2007.

On 30 July 2010, RIMPAC 2010 concluded with a press conference held at Merry Point Landing on Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam. A reception for over 1,500 participants, distinguished visitors and special guests was held in the hangar bays of the carrier Ronald Reagan.

During RIMPAC 2010, participating countries conducted three sinking exercises (SINKEX), involving 140 discrete live-fire events, that included 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 combatant warships. Units flew more than 3,100 air sorties, completed numerous maritime interdiction and vessel boardings, explosive ordnance disposal, diving and salvage operations and mine clearance operations and 10 major experiments, with the major one being the U.S. Marine Corps Enhanced Company Operations experiment.

Ground forces from five countries completed five amphibious landings, including nine helicopter-borne amphibious landings and 560 troops took part in a ship-to-shore mission. In all, 960 different training events were scheduled. 96 percent were completed in all areas of the Hawaiian operations area, encompassing Kāneʻohe Bay, Bellows Air Force Station, the Pacific Missile Range Facility, and the Pohakuloa Training Area.

File:RIMPAC 2012 120727-N-VD564-137.jpg

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| Auxiliary ships:
{{USNS|Henry J. Kaiser||6}}
{{USNS|Matthew Perry||6}}
{{USNS|Salvor||6}}
{{USNS|Yukon|T-AO-202|6}}

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RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series and started on 29 June 2012. 42 ships, including the aircraft carrier {{USS|Nimitz}} and other elements of Carrier Strike Group 11, six submarines,{{cite web|title=RIMPAC 2012: participating vessels by country|date=17 June 2012|url=http://www.naval-technology.com/features/featurerimpac-2012-vessels-aircraft-countries/|publisher=Naval Technology|access-date=18 June 2012}} 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel from 22 nations took part in Hawaii. The exercise involved surface combatants from the U.S., Canada, Japan, Australia, South Korea and Chile.{{cite web|title=RIMPAC 2012|url=http://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac/2012/about/|publisher=United States Navy|access-date=18 June 2012|archive-date=19 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419193121/http://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac/2012/about/|url-status=dead}}

The US Navy demonstrated its 'Great Green Fleet' of biofuel-driven vessels for which it purchased 450,000 gallons of biofuel, the largest single purchase of biofuel in history, at a cost of $12m.{{cite web|title=RIMPAC 2012: Great Green Fleet, communications and Yellow Sea security|date=11 June 2012|url=http://www.naval-technology.com/features/featurerimpac2012-great-green-fleet-communications-korea/|publisher=Naval Technology|access-date=18 June 2012}} On 17 July, {{USNS|Henry J. Kaiser||6}} delivered 900,000 gallons of biofuel and traditional petroleum-based fuel to Nimitz{{'}}s Carrier Strike Group 11.{{cite web|url=http://www.msc.navy.mil/N00p/pressrel/press12/press19.htm|title=USNS Henry J. Kaiser delivers biofuel for RIMPAC's Great Green Fleet demo|access-date=17 July 2012|archive-date=20 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520170348/http://www.msc.navy.mil/N00p/pressrel/press12/press19.htm|url-status=dead}}

The exercises included units or personnel from Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States.{{cite web|title=RIMPAC Units Continue To Arrive in Hawaii|url=http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=68155|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925214305/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=68155|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 September 2012|publisher= United States Navy|access-date=1 July 2012}}{{cite web|title=RIMPAC exercise to begin June 29|url=http://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/000846|publisher=United States Navy|access-date=1 July 2012|archive-date=13 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113221744/http://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/000846|url-status=dead}} Russia participated actively for the first time,{{Cite web |last=Duncan |date=2012-06-17 |title=RIMPAC 2012: participating vessels by country |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/features/featurerimpac-2012-vessels-aircraft-countries/ |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=Naval Technology |language=en-US}} as did the Philippines, reportedly due to the escalating tensions with the People's Republic of China over ownership of Scarborough Shoal.{{cite web|title=RP participates in RIMPAC 2012| date=27 June 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_dt0CyOv18 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/z_dt0CyOv18 |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|publisher=Chinese state media|access-date=27 June 2012}}{{cbignore}}

RIMPAC 2012 marked the debut of the U.S. Navy's new P-8A Poseidon land-based anti-submarine patrol aircraft. Two P-8As participated in 24 RIMPAC exercise scenarios as part of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VX-1) based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay.{{cite web | title= VX-1 Flies P-8 Poseidon during RIMPAC 2012 | url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=68678 | archive-url= https://archive.today/20121212215725/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=68678 | url-status= dead | archive-date= 12 December 2012 | work= NNS120729-04 | publisher= RIMPAC Public Affairs | date= 29 July 2012 | access-date=30 July 2012}}

The 2012 movie Battleship is about two Arleigh-Burke-class destroyers (USS John Paul Jones and USS Sampson) and one Japanese Kongō-class destroyer (JS Myoko) discovering an alien armada during RIMPAC 2012.

File:Multinational task force in the 24th biennial Rim of the Pacific.jpg

File:Sikorsky CH-53E (USMC) RIMPAC 2014 378.jpg

File:Multinational divers participate in RIMPAC 2014 140712-N-ZZ999-428.jpg

RIMPAC 2014 was the 24th exercise in the series and took place from 26 June to 1 August, with an opening reception on 26 June and a closing reception on 1 August.{{cite web |title=RIMPAC 2014 |url=http://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac/2014/ |access-date=10 June 2014 |website=Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet |archive-date=14 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314181025/https://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac/2014/ |url-status=dead }}

For the first time, the Royal Norwegian Navy actively participated in the exercise. Norway sent one {{sclass|Fridtjof Nansen|frigate|1}} and possibly Norwegian marine special forces.{{cite web |url=http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/artikkel.php?artid=10148449 |title=Nå skal Forsvaret øve på Hawaii |author= |date=6 December 2013 |website=vg.no |publisher=Verdens Gang |access-date=9 August 2016 }} China was invited to send ships from their People's Liberation Army Navy, the first time China participated in a RIMPAC exercise, and the first time China participated in a large-scale United States-led naval drill.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-drill-idUSBRE92L18A20130322|title=China to attend major U.S.-hosted naval exercises, but role limited|work=Reuters|date=22 March 2013}} On 9 June 2014, China confirmed it would be sending four ships to the exercise, a destroyer, a frigate, a supply ship, and a hospital ship.{{cite news|title=China confirms attendance at U.S.-hosted naval exercises in June|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-usa-defence-idUSKBN0EK07820140609|access-date=10 June 2014|work=Reuters|date=9 June 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Tiezzi|first1=Shannon|title=A 'Historic Moment': China's Ships Head to RIMPAC 2014|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/06/a-historic-moment-chinas-ships-head-to-rimpac-2014/|access-date=10 June 2014|work=TheDiplomat.com|date=11 June 2014}}

The year's RIMPAC participants were Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Tonga, the United Kingdom, and the United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/05/08/23-nations-to-participate-in-maritime-exercise.html|title=23 Nations to Participate in Maritime Exercise|date=8 May 2014}} Thailand was uninvited from the exercise following a 22 May military coup. Thailand's absence means that 22 nations participated in RIMPAC instead of the 23 that had been advertised.{{cite news|last1=Cole|first1=William|title=Military coup gets Thailand booted from RIMPAC lineup|url=http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/20140625_Military_coup_gets_Thailand_booted_from_RIMPAC_lineup.html|access-date=26 June 2014|work=StarAdvertiser.com|date=25 June 2014}} The exercise involved 55 vessels, more than 200 aircraft, and some 25,000 personnel.{{cite web|title=RIMPAC 2014 Participating Forces|url=http://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac/2014/participants/|access-date=28 June 2014|archive-date=26 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226073553/http://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac/2014/participants/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last1=Brunnstrom|first1=David|last2=Alexander|first2=David|title=China looks to gain by joining big U.S.-led Pacific naval drills|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-china-exercise-idUSL6N0P75AY20140626|access-date=26 June 2014|work=Reuters|date=26 June 2014}}

China's 2014 participation in RIMPAC was its first.{{Cite book |last=Loh |first=Dylan M.H. |title=China's Rising Foreign Ministry: Practices and Representations of Assertive Diplomacy |publisher=Stanford University Press |year=2024 |isbn=9781503638204}}{{Rp|page=164}}

India participated in RIMPAC 2016.{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/india-to-participate-in-exercises-rimpac-and-red-flag-in-us-next-year/|title=India to participate in world's largest maritime warfare exercise in US next year|date=11 December 2015}}

In April 2016, the People's Republic of China was invited to RIMPAC 2016 despite the tension in the South China Sea.{{cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2016/04/18/secdef-carter-china-still-invited-to-rimpac-2016-despite-south-china-sea-tension|title=SECDEF Carter: China Still Invited to RIMPAC 2016 Despite South China Sea Tension - USNI News|date=18 April 2016}}

File:RIMPAC Hawaii Amphibious Assault 2018 (50057020047).jpg

In January 2018, China announced that it had been invited. On 23 May 2018, the Pentagon announced that it had "disinvited" China because of recent militarization of islands in the South China Sea.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/05/23/us-china-naval-military-exercise-566721|title=U.S. kicks China out of military exercise|publisher=Politico|date=23 May 2018|access-date=24 May 2018}} The PRC had previously attended RIMPAC Exercises in 2014 and 2016.

On 30 May 2018, the US Navy announced that about 25,000 naval personnel and 52 ships and submarines from 26 countries would participate.{{cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2018/06/26/rim-of-the-pacific-2018-participation|title= 47-Ship RIMPAC Exercise Kicks Off Tomorrow|date= 26 June 2018|publisher= USNI News}}

In this edition of RIMPAC, the Chilean Navy was responsible for leading the naval exercise, being the first non-English-speaking Navy to carry out this task. The election of Chile as leader of the Task Groups recognises the high performance achieved in prior RIMPAC exercises and the quality of Chilean personnel, which since Chile's first participation in 1996 have demonstrated high preparation and professionalism.{{cite web |url=https://revistavigia.cl/rimpac-el-ejercicio-naval-y-maritimo-mas-grande-del-mundo/revistavigia/2018-09-06/111147.html |title=RIMPAC, el ejercicio naval y marítimo más grande del mundo |date=6 September 2018 |publisher=Revista Vigía de la Armada de Chile |location=Chile |language=es |access-date=27 September 2018}}

Israel, Vietnam and Sri Lanka made their debut in RIMPAC. Brazil was due to make its debut, but cancelled its participation for the second time.{{cite web |url=https://navaltoday.com/2018/07/04/brazil-drops-out-of-rimpac-again/ |title=Brazil drops out of RIMPAC, again |author= |date=4 July 2018 |website=Naval Today |access-date=4 July 2018 }} The exercise included a live firing of the AGM-158C LRASM (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile) for the first time.

File:Exercise RIMPAC 2020 insignia (200819-N-ZZ513-1002).png

On 29 April 2020, the US Navy announced RIMPAC would be held from 17 to 30 August. It would be an at-sea-only event because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |url=https://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/130607 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430094352/https://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/130607 |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 April 2020 |title=U.S. Pacific Fleet announces Rim of the Pacific 2020 |date=29 April 2020 }} Twenty-five (25) nations have been invited to participate.{{cite web |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/05/09/hawaii-news/25-nations-invited-to-participate-in-modified-rimpac/ |title= 25 nations invited to Hawaii to participate in modified RIMPAC |date= 9 May 2020 |website=Star Advertiser }} Israel was among the original 25 invited nations, but declined to attend due to the pandemic.{{cite web |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/israel-will-not-participate-in-rimpac-2020-627056|title= Israel will not participate in RIMPAC 2020.|date= 6 May 2020|website= The Jerusalem Post}} There had been some opposition to New Zealand's participation and there have been calls from peace activists for New Zealand not to attend.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/418720/rimpac-war-games-exercise-new-zealand-government-urged-to-withdraw|title= Rimpac war games exercise: New Zealand government urged to withdraw|website= Radio New Zealand|date= 10 June 2020}} The Philippines sent its first missile-capable frigate on its maiden voyage, which was commissioned into service in July 2020, as its "shakedown cruise" where its performance would be tested by the crew in the two-week exercises.{{cite web |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1111304 |title=BRP Jose Rizal leaves Guam for Hawaii |date=6 August 2020 |website=Philippine News Agency }}

On 17 August 2020, the US Navy announced that participation has scaled down to 10 nations, 22 ships, one submarine, and approximately 5,300 personnel, all at sea.{{cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2020/08/17/scaled-back-at-sea-rimpac-2020-exercise-kicks-off-near-hawaii|title= Scaled-Back, At-Sea RIMPAC 2020 Exercise Kicks Off Near Hawaii|date= 17 August 2020|website= USNI News}} These are the following navies that would take part in the exercise:

On 29 August 2020, forces began firing on former {{USS|Durham||6}}, a Charleston-class amphibious cargo vessel that was decommissioned in 1994. The US Navy and partner nations wrapped up the biennial RIMPAC 2020 exercise over the weekend with the sinking of the decommissioned amphibious cargo vessel.{{cite web |url=https://news.usni.org/2020/08/31/video-rimpac-2020-exercise-wraps-up-after-sinking-former-u-s-warship |title=RIMPAC 2020 Exercise Wraps Up After Sinking Former U.S. Warship |date=31 August 2020 |website=USNI News }}

File:Maritime Forces RIMPAC 2022.jpg

RIMPAC 2022 was held in the summer of that year, between 29 June and 4 August. It was expected to be a more traditional RIMPAC with the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpf.navy.mil/News/Article/2861558/us-3rd-fleet-hosts-rimpac-mid-planning-conference/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203232005/https://www.cpf.navy.mil/News/Article/2861558/us-3rd-fleet-hosts-rimpac-mid-planning-conference/|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 December 2021|title=U.S. 3rd Fleet hosts RIMPAC mid-planning conference}}

On 23 February 2022, it was announced that 27 countries are expected to take part.{{Cite web|url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2022/02/23/hawaii-news/navy-expects-27-countries-to-attend-rimpac-this-summer/|title = Navy expects 27 countries to attend RIMPAC this summer|date = 23 February 2022|url-access=subscription}} On 14 April 2022, it was announced that Canada would send four warships to participate.{{cite web | url=https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/canada-to-send-4-warships-800-military-personnel-to-world-s-largest-naval-exercise-1.5862287 | title=Canada to send 4 warships, 800 military personnel to world's largest naval exercise | date=14 April 2022 }} The same day, Peru announced that the corvette BAP Guise would take part.{{cite web | url=https://www.infodefensa.com/texto-diario/mostrar/3549005/armada-peru-participara-rimpac-2022-corbeta-bap-guise | title=La Marina del Perú participará en Rimpac 2022 con la corbeta BAP Guise }}

On 1 June 2022, a total of 26 countries have confirmed to take part at Exercise RIMPAC 2022, with the list as follows: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom, and the United States, being 11 countries from Asia, 5 countries from Europe, 4 countries from South America, 3 countries from North America and 3 countries from Oceania.{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/05/31/politics/rimpac-navy-exercises-intl-hnk-ml/index.html|title = World's largest naval exercises to include all 4 Quad nations and 5 South China Sea countries|date = 1 June 2022}}

RIMPAC 2024 included ships and personnel from 29 countries.{{Cite web |title=U.S. 3rd Fleet Hosts RIMPAC 2024 Initial Planning Conference |url=https://www.cpf.navy.mil/Newsroom/News/Article/3444360/us-3rd-fleet-hosts-rimpac-2024-initial-planning-conference/https://www.cpf.navy.mil/Newsroom/News/Article/3444360/us-3rd-fleet-hosts-rimpac-2024-initial-planning-conference/ |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=U.S. Pacific Fleet |language=en-US}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpf.navy.mil/RIMPAC/Participants/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604081823/http://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac/participants/|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 June 2016|title=RIMPAC Participants — U.S. Pacific Fleet|website=www.cpf.navy.mil}} It is reported that the decommissioned ship {{USS|Tarawa|LHA-1|6}} was used in a sinking exercise as part of Exercise RIMPAC 2024.{{cite news |last1=Olson |first1=Wyatt |title=RIMPAC to feature largest-ever disaster-relief drills, possible ship sinking |url=https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2024-06-13/rimpac-navy-exercise-hawaii-14167007.html |work=Stars and Stripes |date=June 13, 2024}} The U.S. Navy officially unveiled the AIM-174B air-to-air missile, an "Air-Launched Configuration"{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/07/u-s-navy-confirms-sm-6-air-launched-configuration-is-operationally-deployed/ |title=U.S. Navy Confirms SM-6 Air Launched Configuration is Operationally Deployed |last=Johnston |first=Carter |date=2024-07-05 |website=Naval News |access-date=2024-07-07|quote=The SM-6 Air Launched Configuration (ALC) was developed as part of the SM-6 family of missiles and is operationally deployed in the Navy today.}} of the RIM-174 Standard ERAM surface-to-air missile. The AIM-174 is the first dedicated long-range air-to-air missile fielded by the U.S. military since the Navy's retirement of the AIM-54 Phoenix.{{cite web |url=https://theaviationist.com/2024/07/03/first-images-super-hornet-carrying-two-sm-6-missiles/ |title=First Images Emerge Of U.S. Navy Super Hornet Carrying Two Air-Launched SM-6 Missiles |last=Cenciotti |first=David |date=2024-07-03 |website=The Aviationist |access-date=2024-07-07 |quote=In essence, this new missile fills the gap left by the retirement of the AIM-54 Phoenix. The AIM-54 was a long-range air-to-air missile used by the U.S. Navy’s F-14 Tomcat and retired in 2004 alongside the F-14. Known for its impressive range of over 100 nautical miles and multiple-target engagement capability, the AIM-54 left a significant void in long-range engagement capabilities.}}

{{Refimprove|section|date=June 2024}}

RIMPAC experiments have included a range of sectors important to international militaries. In RIMPAC 2000, for example, the first of the Strong Angel international humanitarian response demonstrations were held on the Big Island of Hawai'i near Pu'u Pa'a{{where|date=June 2024}}. That series continued with events in the summer of 2004 and again in 2006.

Participants have also conducted exercises in ship-sinking and torpedo usage. They also have tested new naval vessels and technology. For example, in 2004, the United States Navy tested the Australian-built {{ship|HSV-2|Swift}}, a {{convert|321|ft|adj=on}} experimental wave-piercing catamaran that draws only {{convert|12|ft|m}} of water, has a top speed of almost {{convert|50|kn}}, and can transport 605 tons of cargo.

File:3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines - RIMPAC 2004.jpg|Marines from Kaneohe Bay conducting an amphibious landing in RIMPAC 2004.

File:Periscope Depth.jpg|{{USS|Key West|SSN-722|6}} at periscope depth, RIMPAC 2004

File:SECNAV_Mabus_RIMPAC_2012.jpg|SECNAV Mabus departs Hickam to review the RIMPAC 2012 fleet

File:Ultra Heavy-Lift Amphibious Connector lands on the shore.jpg|Ultra Heavy-Lift Amphibious Connector lands on the shore after disembarking {{USS|Rushmore|LSD-47|6}} with heavy equipment during a Marine Corps Advanced Warfighting Experiment during RIMPAC 2014. The prototype is a ship-to-shore connector and is 50% scale.

File:SECNAV_tours_RIMPAC_HADR_camp.jpg|SECNAV Richard Spencer meets with RIMPAC 2018 commanders

File:Marines experiment with military robotics RIMPAC 2014.jpg|Legged Squad Support System (LS3) walks around the Kahuku Training Area during RIMPAC 2014. The LS3 is experimental technology being tested by the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab.

File:Marines follow Ground Unmanned Support Surrogate (GUSS) RIMPAC 2014.jpg|Marines follow a Ground Unmanned Support Surrogate (GUSS), experimental technology being tested by the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab during RIMPAC 2014 at Kahuku Training Area.

File:Chilean_Minister_of_Defense_visits_RIMPAC.jpg|Chilean defense minister Alberto Espina participates in RIMPAC 2018

File:SECDEF_Esper,_meets_with_Adm_Aquilino,_CINPACFLT_aboard_USS_Essex_during_RIMPAC_2020.jpg|SecDef Esper with CINCPACFLT Aquilino at RIMPAC 2020

{{wide image|42 ships & subs from 15 nations in close formation during RIMPAC 2014.jpg|800px|42 ships & subs from 15 nations in close formation during RIMPAC 2014}}

• RIMPAC 2012 was the main setting of the 2012 film Battleship.{{cite web |title=Battleship (2012) |url=https://m.imdb.com/title/tt1440129/ |publisher=IMDb |date= 18 May 2012}}
• The IMAX documentary film Aircraft Carrier: Guardians of the Sea covers RIMPAC 2014.
• NCIS: Hawaiʻi S2 E1 "Prisoners Dilemma" story involves RIMPAC 2022.

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|RIMPAC}}

• [http://www.pacom.mil/ United States Pacific Command]
• [https://www.c3f.navy.mil/ Commander, U.S. Third Fleet]
• [https://www.cpf.navy.mil/About-Us/Exercises-Missions/RIMPAC/ RIMPAC site]

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