USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93) transits the Pacific Ocean during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2020 on Aug. 22, 2020. US Navy Photo
The U.S. Navy and partner nations have so far not encountered a Russian or Chinese maritime presence during the Rim of the Pacific 2020 exercise, according to a Navy official. Read More
Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, take part in the final Battlegroup Samichon assault at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Talisman Saber on July 20, 2017. Australian Defence Force photo.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is nearing full operational capability of its amphibious force, after a six-year effort to turn an Army battalion into the heart of a joint-service expeditionary capability akin to the U.S. Marine Corps. Read More
USNI News polled its writers, naval analysts and service members on what they consider the most important military and maritime stories in 2016. Read More
The amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) conducts flight operations while underway to Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2016. US Navy photo.
ABOARD USS AMERICA — The new amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) has raised more than a few questions in its short life, with sailors and Marines alike wondering what it will mean to have an amphibious ship without a well deck and therefore without the ability to deploy landing craft to move heavy tanks and equipment ashore.
America’s recent participation in the Rim of the Pacific 2016 international exercise may have allayed some concerns – the resounding feedback from those involved in the ship’s operations is that, if the Marines are willing to tweak the composition of the deploying Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), America can move them faster, more agilely and more safely. Read More
Sailors, family and friends watch as aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 fly in formation above USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) during an air power demonstration on Aug. 7, 2016, during the ship’s tiger cruise, an opportunity for Sailors to invite their family and friends to experience life underway aboard a Navy ship. US Navy photo.
Aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) returned home to Bremerton, Wash., yesterday after seven months patrolling the South China Sea, serving as flagship of the first Great Green Fleet carrier strike group and participating in the Rim of the Pacific 2016 exercise. Read More
Australian soldiers with 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment debark Her Majesty’s Australian Ship HMAS Canberra and come ashore at Kawaihae Pier, Hawaii, July 12, 2016, to participate in Rim of the Pacific 2016, a multinational military exercise. US Marine Corps photo.
POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA, HAWAII – The Rim of the Pacific 2016 exercise has given the Australian landing force a well-timed opportunity: soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2 RAR) played a central role in three-ship Amphibious Ready Group operations off Hawaii ahead of conducting ARG operations on their own for the first time ever next year. Read More
The following is a U.S. Navy video of 40 ships and submarines in close formation during Rim of the Pacific 2016 exercise on July 28, 2016. Read More
An RQ-7B Shadow of VMU-3. USNI News photo.
POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA, ISLAND OF HAWAII – The RQ-7B Shadows of Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 3 are flying in the Hawaiian skies during the Rim of the Pacific exercise for the first time, bringing a new forward observer and artillery-calling capability to the amphibious force despite being build to support ground troops. Read More
An Australian sniper looks out over the Pohakuloa Training Area’s Range 10 prior to a U.S. Marine platoon with Australian support attachments conducting the test event on July 18, 2016. USNI News photo.
POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA, ISLAND OF HAWAII – Flying into the Pohakuloa Training Area, more than 6,000 feet above sea level and nestled between two volcanoes on the Big Island, the ground below looks nothing like a tropical Hawaiian paradise. The day starts out cold, and as soon as the sun warms up the mountainside, fog and rain are ushered up the mountain that cool down the area again.
Among the lava rocks grow scraggly trees and brown grasses, and aside from wild goats and nenes there are few signs of life.
Where better for Marines and soldiers to bring out their big guns? Read More
Amphibious assault vehicles depart the well deck of amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) while Royal Australian Navy LHD landing craft wait to escort them on July 18, 2016. US Navy Photo
ABOARD USS AMERICA, NEAR HAWAII – As the head of the Rim of the Pacific 2016 amphibious task force progresses through the exercise, the New Zealander works from an office aboard an American ship filled with Australians, Indonesians and other personnel from the across the Pacific.
And for Commodore James Gilmour, that’s just how Pacific operations should be. Read More
