von The Australian Defence Force’s largest international maritime exercise, comprised of three ships, two AP-3C Orion aircraft and approximately 1200 personnel commences in Hawaii this week.
Exercise Rim-of-the-Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010 is designed to test their interoperability with 14 Pacific Rim nations, including the United States, South Korea, Indonesia and Canada.
This year will mark the 22nd RIMPAC.
Australian Navy ships HMAS Kanimbla, Newcastle and Warramunga; Navy Clearance Divers; soldiers from the Townsville-based 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment; and members of 11 Squadron and 92Wing from Royal Australian Air Force Base Edinburgh in South Australia will the largest and most important exercise Australia has participated in for many years.
The Commander of Australia’s contingent to RIMPAC 10, Commodore Stuart Mayer, says the biannual exercise will be the ultimate test of how we operate with our Pacific partners.
“This RIMPAC will also give both Navy and Army the chance to exercise in an amphibious space,” Commodore Mayer said.
“The first of two new Australian amphibious Landing Helicopter Dock ships (LHDs) is due to be completed in 2014 so we continue to exercise our developing amphibious capability in this environment. The information sharing opportunities presented by RIMPAC directly contribute to our preparations for the LHD.
“This is an exciting new capability the ADF is taking on and the Navy, Army and Air Force will have a role to play,” Commodore Mayer said.
This RIMPAC will be the last for the Navy’s 817 Sea King Squadron which is due to be de-commissioned in 2011.
RIMPAC 2010 will be conducted until the 1st of August 2010.
For interviews with CDRE Mayer, please contact Defence Media liaison.
Press release
Ministerial Support and Public Affairs,
Department of Defence,
Canberra, Australia