RIMPAC 2024 WILL CONTINUE THE LARGEST NAVAL EXERCISE’S STORIED RUN


By bblouin
Lance Cpl. Landon Smith stands in front of a CH-53E Super Stallion on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS America during RIMPAC.

Once every two years, the United States hosts the largest international maritime warfare exercise in the world with various other nations known as RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific). During June and July, RIMPAC 2024 will be fully underway, though preparations have been ongoing. This includes renewed focus from other nations and the exclusion of Southern California this year. The entirety of RIMPAC will take place in Hawaii as nations organize to maintain peace in the Pacific region during a time in which China and others continue provocative actions. Suggested read: Was Shaggy a Marine? The Truth About Mr. Boombastic

What Is RIMPAC?

RIMPAC is a biennial exercise that brings together the United States and various allies to help strengthen alliances, increase safety throughout the Indo-Pacific region, and train under the largest naval military training event in the world. Exercise RIMPAC is unique because of its growing size, location, and relation to world events. Nations operate throughout Southern California and Hawaii, though RIMPAC 2024 will be exclusively in Paradise. The first RIMPAC Exercise took place in 1971 and went on every year until 1974. This is when it became a biennial event with the RIMPAC 2024 participants taking part in the 29th rendition. Operated by the Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet and founded by the United States, Australia, and Canada, there have been many other nations involved over the years, though this varies from exercise to exercise. Nations such as Chile, Colombia, France, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand are other regular attendees. Germany is joining Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2024. Depending on the feasibility and world climate, participants can change, and a big focus in 2024 is ensuring peace in the region in spite of aggressive moves by China. Not too long ago, China was actually a participating member of the Navy RIMPAC exercise; however, their invitation was a unique proposition that didn’t work out the way it was intended for the other countries.

Focusing on China

In 2014, China was invited to participate in RIMPAC Hawaii drills. The goal was to hopefully dissuade South China Sea militarization and foster cooperation. But fast forward a decade later and it’s clear to see that the invite to the exercise didn’t do anything to curtail such actions, unfortunately. The U.S. realized this and hasn’t invited China back throughout the years, citing obvious concerns about intelligence risks. China's past participation led to intensified naval capabilities and island construction, undermining regional stability. Despite China's assertion that these are peaceful actions, the U.S. and others view things differently. This is leading nations to continue RIMPAC with even some nations, such as Germany, joining with a new point of view of the Asian superpower’s intentions in the Pacific. RIMPAC member countries have common interests in maintaining trade and peace in the region. Related read: Tensions Drive NATO to Conduct Largest Military Exercise in Decades

Is RIMPAC Real?

RIMPAC is a real exercise using the Pacific with Pearl Harbor as its home. Unlike simulated exercises, tens of thousands of personnel from all over the world participate in war games. The 2024 theme is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared,” and will have at least 27 nations participating. In the past, nations have practiced everything from international humanitarian response, to testing new vessels, to exercises practicing sinking ships. RIMPAC 2024 is going to be a great opportunity for collaboration, camaraderie, and training. Read next: Underwater Theft: Low Background Steel Stripped Off WWII Ships


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