A Canadian Armed Forces contingent of more than 1,000 personnel has successfully completed Exercise RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) 2018 following an intensive multi-week programme conducted in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.
News Release, 03 August 2018: From June 27 to August 2, the CAF [Canadian Armed Forces] operated alongside approximately 25,000 military personnel from 24 other nations as well as more than 200 aircraft and 50 ships and submarines.
AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicles assigned to 3rd Marine Regiment unload service members during an amphibious landing demonstration at Pyramid Rock Beach [USMC: Sgt. Aaron S. Patterson]
RIMPAC is the world’s largest maritime exercise. Canada, along with Australia and the United States, has participated in every exercise since its inception in 1971, making RIMPAC 2018 the 26th exercise in the series.
US Marines with 1st Marine Reconnaissance Battalion and Canadian soldiers with the Royal 22e Régiment dismount from a combat rubber raiding craft during RIMPAC at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, in California [USMC: Cpl. Robert G. Gavaldon]
“RIMPAC 2018 was a fantastic opportunity for Canada’s naval, land, and air forces to exercise a wide range of capabilities alongside our allies. Canada is a founding member of RIMPAC, and we have demonstrated once again this year that we are a strong, capable partner in the Pacific. As this exercise gets bigger and more nations participate, Canada will expand its knowledge and expertise while creating relationships that endure beyond the end of RIMPAC” stated Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, Deputy Commander, RIMPAC 2018 Combined Task Force.
Canadian soldiers with the Royal 22e Régiment exit an AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicle during an amphibious raid as part of RIMPAC [USMC: Cpl. Robert G. Gavaldon]
- RIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritime exercise. It 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.
- The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) was represented by Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships Vancouver, Ottawa, Whitehorse, and Yellowknife, as well as the Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment ship, MV Asterix. The ships participated in a wide scope of training scenarios such as anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction operations, mine sweeping and neutralisation, command and control and communication operations, ship manoeuvring, standard naval drills, weapons firings, and sea combat. MV Asterix conducted 20 successful replenishments at sea.
- RCN Clearance Divers were also a key component of RIMPAC 2018, conducting explosive ordnance disposal and salvage diving operations with divers from other nations.
- Canadian Army soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, were part of the combined Marine Air-Ground Task Force in Southern California. They conducted numerous multinational training events, including complex live fire ranges, infantry immersion training, aviation drills, helocasting, and amphibious assault training.
- The Royal Canadian Air Force deployed a CP-140 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. It conducted more than a dozen anti-submarine warfare missions, amassing over 100 hours of flying time.
Members of the Canadian 2nd Battalion Royal 22e Régiment fire a C84mm Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle during live fire platoon attacks [CAF: Ordinary Seaman Justin Spinello]
Gunner’s Mates fire a shot-line during a replenishment-at-sea with Royal Canadian Navy supply ship MV Asterix as part of RIMPAC [US Navy: Mass Comm Spec 2nd Class Anita C. Newman]
Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ottawa (FF 341) departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to commence the At Sea phase of RIMPAC 2018 [CAF: Cpl Trevor Matheson]
