Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2020 begins around the Hawaiian Islands.

Ten nations, 22 surface ships, one submarine, multiple aircraft, and approximately 5,300 personnel will participate in an at-sea-only iteration of the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled Aug. 17-31, in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands.
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Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson participates in a sail during the “Rim of the Pacific” exercise off the coast of Hawaii in July 2018. (Picture source: Petty Officer 1st Class Arthurgwain L. Marquez/U.S. Navy)

The at-sea-only construct for RIMPAC 2020 was developed to ensure the safety of all military forces participating, and Hawaii’s population, by minimizing shore-based contingents, while striking a balance between combating future adversaries and the COVID-19 threat. Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet crafted the modified RIMPAC plan as a way to conduct a meaningful exercise with maximum training value and minimum risk to the force, allies and partners, and the people of Hawaii.

RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s interconnected oceans. RIMPAC 2020 is the 27th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

The theme of RIMPAC 2020 is “Capable, Adaptive, Partners.” Participating nations and forces will exercise a wide range of capabilities and demonstrate the inherent flexibility of maritime forces. The realistic and relevant training syllabus includes multinational anti-submarine warfare, maritime intercept operations, and live-fire training events, among other cooperative training opportunities.

RIMPAC 2020 contributes to the increased lethality, resiliency, and agility needed by the Joint and Combined Force to deter and defeat aggression by major powers across all domains and levels of conflict. Hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Exercise RIMPAC 2020 will be led by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, Vice Adm. Scott D. Conn, and will include forces from Australia, Brunei, Canada, France, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, and the United States.

USS Essex (LHD-2) arrives at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for RIMPAC 2020 on Aug. 10, 2020. (Picture source: U.S. Navy)

Participating ships this year are:

Australia

HMAS Hobart (DDG 39)
HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)
HMAS Stuart (FFH 153)
HMAS Sirius (O 266)

Brunei

KDB Darulehsan (OPV 07)

Canada

HMCS Regina (FFH 334)
HMCS Winnipeg (FFH 338)

France

FS Bougainville (A622)

Japan

JS Ashigara (DDG 178)
JS Ise (DDH 182)

New Zealand

HMNZS Manawanui (A09)

Republic of Korea

ROKS Seoae Ryu Seong-Ryong (DDG 993)
ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sun-Sin (DDH 975)

Republic of the Philippines

BRP Jose Rizal (FF 150)

Singapore

RSS Supreme (FFG 73)

USA

USS Essex (LHD-2)
USS Lake Erie (CG-70)
USS Chung Hoon (DDG-93)
USS Dewey (DDG-105)
USCGC Munro (WMSL-755)
UNSN Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187)
USNS Sioux (T-ATF-171)
U.S. Submarine