23 nations, including Canada and China, participating in RIMPAC 2014

[CougarKing]

Maybe one day, the Chinese carrier Liaoning might participate in a future RIMPAC...

23 Nations to Participate in World’s Largest Maritime Exercise
From U.S. Third Fleet Public Affairs
Posted May 5, 2014

SAN DIEGO – Twenty-three nations, 47 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 26 to Aug. 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2014 is the 24th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

-o-

Two nations, Brunei and the People’s Republic of China, will participate in RIMPAC for the first time in 2014.

Also for the first time at RIMPAC this year, two hospital ships, USNS Mercy and PLA (N) Peace Ark, will participate in the exercise.

This year’s exercise includes forces from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, People’s Republic of China, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States.

http://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/030390

 

[CougarKing]

The Chinese ships are on their way to RIMPAC:

Military.com

China Ships Depart for Naval Drill With US, Others

Associated Press | Jun 10, 2014 | by Christopher Bodeen

Chinese ships steamed Tuesday toward waters near Hawaii to participate for the first time in the world's largest naval exercises hosted by Washington -- a rare opportunity to build trust with the U.S. and regional rivals including the Philippines and Japan.

China's participation in the Rim of the Pacific exercises beginning June 26 will enable Chinese naval officers to rub shoulders with U.S. counterparts as well as those from countries with which it has maritime disputes in the South China Sea and East China Sea.


Washington and Beijing have been seeking closer military ties following an incident last December when a U.S. Navy cruiser, the USS Cowpens, nearly collided with a ship accompanying China's sole aircraft carrier in the South China Sea -- the most serious sea confrontation between the two nations in years.

(...EDITED)

 

[CougarKing]

RIMPAC 2014: China joins world's biggest naval exercise in waters off Hawaii for first time

[abc.net.au] - 27 Jun 2014

Dozens of ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 sailors are taking part in the exercise, which runs until August 1.

China has sent four ships, including the missile destroyer Haikou and the missile frigate Yueyang.

Michael Wesley, a professor of National Security at the Australian National University, has told Radio Australia's Asia Pacific program that China's inclusion in RIMPAC 2014 is highly significant, especially at a time of heightened regional tension over territorial disputes.

"It's important to include China in these sorts of coalition exercises in order to offset what is probably a growing belief in China that it is being encircled by tightening alliances and partnerships among its neighbours, and among its neighbours and the United States.

"I think there is a sense of strategic paranoia within Beijing, and I think that it's also a reasonable leap of trust by the Chinese that they will take part in these US-led exercises that will be heavily participated in by US allies as well."

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RIMPAC Arrival (2014)

PEARL HARBOR (June 27, 2014) The amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), left, transits past the Battleship Missouri Memorial upon arrival at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to participate in the 2014 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian T. Glunt /Released) Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Public

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PEARL HARBOR (June 26, 2014) Service members and civilians watch as the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) transits to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2014 exercise. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from June 26 to Aug. 1. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Laurie Dexter/Released)
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Army watercraft, divers, sustainment troops to participate in RIMPAC 2014[army.mil]

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Coast Guard’s National Security Cutter Waesche arrives in Hawaii for RIMPAC [dvidshub.net]

The Coast Guard Cutter Waesche arrives in Pearl Harbor, June 25, 2014, to participate in the 24th occurance of Rim of The Pacific. RIMPAC is the largest multi-national maritime exercise in the world held biennially during June and July of even-numbered years in and around Hawaii. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lcdr. Steven M. Youde

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China's fleet participating in RIMPAC drill arrived at Pearl Harbor

[xinhuanet]

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Photo taken on June 24, 2014 shows Chinese navy's missile frigate Yueyang in Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, the United States. The Chinese fleet participating in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) multinational naval exercises arrived at Pearl Harbor on Tuesday. The Chinese forces include missile destroyer Haikou, missile frigate Yueyang, supply ship Qiandaohu, hospital ship Peace Ark, two helicopters, a commando unit and a diving squad, totalling 1,100 officers and soldiers. (Xinhua/Qin Haishi)

China sends second largest fleet to RIMPAC

[cntv]

This is China’s first time at the world’s largest international maritime exercise. Expert say China will also join exercises against non-traditional security threats.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy guided missile destroyer Haikou (171) arrives at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam to participate in the multi-national military exercise RIMPAC 2014, in Honolulu, Hawaii, June 24, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

More Photos Here >>>

 

[CougarKing]

An old amphibious ship, the ex-USS Ogden, was the target of this year's RIMPAC SINKEX.

RIMPAC 2014 Participants Conduct Sinking Exercise

PACIFIC OCEAN  – Live fire from ships, submarines and aircraft participating in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC)  2014 sank the decommissioned USS Ogden (LPD 5)  at 7:28 p.m. Thursday,  July 10,  in waters 15,000 feet deep, 55 nautical miles northwest of Kauai.

Units from the Republic of Korea, Norway and the United States participated in the sinking exercise (SINKEX), which provided them the opportunity to gain proficiency in tactics, targeting and live firing against a surface target at sea

“The SINKEX is just one of the unique training opportunities offered at RIMPAC on the state-of-the-art training ranges available in Hawaii,” said Vice Adm. Kenneth Floyd, Commander of the RIMPAC Combined Task Force.

Read more at Hawaii Reporter