Seven Pacific Rim nations along with the United Kingdom participated in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006, a major maritime exercise conducted in waters off Hawaii from late June through July 2006. The exercise brought together military forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Peru, the Republic of Korea (ROK), the United Kingdom and the United States. Conducted biannually since 1971, RIMPAC is a tremendous opportunity for participating nations to enhance their forces’ skills in fighting terrorism, countering weapons of mass destruction, combating piracy, and providing humanitarian assistance.

Over 40 ships, six submarines,160 aircraft and almost 19,000 sailors, airmen, Marines, soldiers and Coastguardsmen participated in RIMPAC. The exercise enhanced the tactical proficiency of participating units in combined operations at sea that helps promote stability in the Pacific Rim region. The U.S. Third Fleet, commanded by Vice Adm. Barry Costello, was responsible for overall exercise coordination. Individual units remained under operational command of their respective national commanders throughout the exercise. Ecuador, India, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore and Thailand sent observers.

The month-long exercise involved several phases, including a variety of drills and a tactical scenario play. During the initial phase, personnel aboard ships and aircraft worked on improving individual and task-group level war-fighting skills. Over a period of 10 days, the RIMPAC forces operated in waters off the Hawaiian islands of Oahu and Kauai. Exercise events included live missile firings, torpedo firings, gunnery exercises, air defense, surface and undersea warfare, maritime boardings, mine warfare, non-combatant evacuation operations, and amphibious operations.

Royal Australian Navy Commodore Rick Shalders was the sea combat commander. The Commander of the Canadian Pacific Fleet, Commodore Bruce Donaldson, served as the deputy commander of the combined task force. Commenting on the first week of the exercise, Commodore Donaldson said those days provided “an opportunity to meet, exchange, and socialize with other exercise participants.”

Canada Assumes Leadership Roles
“Canada has assumed leadership roles in all facets of this very large exercise, from myself as deputy commander through many levels, right down to those who maintain aircraft,” said Commodore Donaldson. “Our ability to integrate seamlessly in the overall RIMPAC structure is critical as we grasp this extraordinary opportunity, and national responsibility, to provide a Canadian perspective in resolving issues concerning peace and security in the Pacific region.”

Canadian Air Force Col. John McManus, one of the directors for the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) at Hickam Air Force Base, said, “To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time a Canadian officer has had the opportunity to act as a CAOC director in this type of joint and combined exercise. We must train as we fight. Assuming operational leadership roles like this one provide Canada the ability to control its own resources. If we intend to send our people into harm’s way, we must look out for them by being involved in the decision-making process to ensure that our national interests are met.”

Canadian Navy Capt. Paul Hendry, commanding officer of the area air defence destroyer HMCS Algonquin (DDH 283), led Surface Action Group “Bravo” comprised of the Chilean frigate CS Blanco (FF 15)¸ Peruvian frigate BAP Mariategui (FM 54), and the U.S. Navy’s guided missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86). Built in the early 1970s, Algonquin is fitted with the most advanced communications technology, giving the ship advanced command and control capabilities.

Capt. Hendry noted, “While all sailors share a common understanding of the challenges of the sea, RIMPAC is an opportunity for allied nations to work together and further develop an understanding and appreciation of each other’s individual procedures, capabilities and limitations. This knowledge will be vital should we have to fight alongside each other,” he added.

Also embedded within the Canadian Command staffs were advisors from the Judge Advocate General, Policy and Public Affairs offices of the Canadian Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces. “Legal and policy advisors add an important element of realism to the operation of the headquarters,” said Commodore Donaldson. “The advice provided helps ensure that coalition operations are conducted in accordance with international and Canadian law, and provides an excellent context for our activity.”

Live Missile Firings
Canadian ships Algonquin and frigate HMCS Vancouver (FF 331) conducted live missile firings on a military range off the coast of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Both ships exercised anti-ship warfare engagements by firing against a surface target. Algonquin fired a long-range SM-2 anti-air missile in an anti-surface mode, while Vancouver fired two long-range Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

The training continued the next day with an anti-air defense exercise against remote controlled target drones. Algonquin fired two long-range SM-2 anti-air missiles and Vancouver fired three medium-range Sea Sparrow anti-air missiles.

Later in the week, Canadian patrol frigate HMCS Regina (FFH 334) joined Algonquin and Vancouver in a torpedo exercise. Six Canadian F-18 fighter aircraft exercised air-to-air and air-to-ground warfare by dropping 40 MK-82 inert bombs on a surface target. They also released eight air-to-air missiles against airborne target drones.

Live missile firings, gunnery, and torpedo firings are some of the highlights of the biannual RIMPAC exercise. Conducted on a military range, these exercises help measure and analyze combat team and combat system performance.  All firings used realistic tactical scenarios. “While computer simulation and modeling is an important and cost-effective tool for team training and tactics development, personnel and system performance can only be evaluated under live firing conditions controlled by range safety regulations,” said Commodore Donaldson. “Live missile firings also give the ship’s technicians and combat teams confidence in their equipment, a critical factor and a morale booster for those who may be called upon to sail into harm’s way.”

Air Operations
Command and Control
Australian, Canadian, ROK and U.S. military members at Hickam Air Force Base’s Pacific Air Operations Center (PAOC) in the General George C. Kenney Headquarters (KHQ) provided command and control for more than 200 sorties per day. At first, this presented some challenges. “We speak different languages, and we found out initially that we have different acronyms for things, but that all those things are easily overcome,” said Brig. Gen. Greg Ihde, KHQ vice commander and PAOC commander. “That’s why we practice; that’s why we have exercises.  That’s why it’s important to work together – not only with our Navy brothers and sisters here, but also with our coalition partners.”

  The key to success in a multinational environment like this is communication. “A couple of people I’ve tried to talk to have had difficulty understanding me because of my Australian accent, which I find of course very hard to understand,” laughed Australian Group Capt. Tony Needham, one of the combined air operations directors. “But communicating is the key.  We learn how to communicate with [U.S. forces] better in a systems way, and we learn how to communicate better people-to-people,” he said. “When we go home we’ll know people here. And if we have to solve problems in the future, we’ll know who to call at Hickam to solve problems.”

The exercise proved helpful for airmen. Canadian Capt Yuri Mokievsky-Zubok, an F-18 pilot with about six months of experience, said “Going through the training that I do go through, you learn that [the PAOC] does exist and that this is where all the orders come from. I’m learning quite a bit and seeing how the process actually comes together.”

Allied Navies Control
Supply Sea Lanes
Coalition building is a prime RIMPAC objective, and that was evident within the logistical support arm of the exercise. A coalition of Australian, Canadian and U.S. sailors controlled the flow of materials and critical parts throughout the exercise. Their efforts allowed dozens of operations held almost daily to run smoothly. It was a daunting task, not only because of the size of RIMPAC, but also because it involved coordinating with eight independent navies – each with different systems, assets and languages. “The success of this RIMPAC is that it is truly a coalition in nature to keep those parts moving,” said Canadian Navy Lt. Chris Angerman.

One Australian and one Canadian Navy officer were the material control officers onboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), which was one of two logistics hubs for RIMPAC 2006. The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) was the other. The material control officers managed the distribution network that included critical parts and materials flown to the carriers as needed to keep participating ships and aircraft operating.

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Hans Lynch explained the critical role of these officers. “We really couldn’t do this without them. With these [allied-navy] officers, we’re getting trained professionals who do this everyday. They know the material.”

The Australian, Canadian, and U.S. Navies share many of the same classes of ships, as well as similar helicopters, weapons and communications systems, which gives the material control officers an edge. But when needed, they also provide support for the other allied nations participating in RIMPAC.

“The majority of the freight we move from here is Canadian and Australian, but we have moved one part for a Chilean Navy ship and some mail for a Japanese ship,” said Lt. Angerman. He and 15 other officers and enlisted sailors representing the three navies make up the Forward Logistics Site (FLS) in Pearl Harbor. The FLS operates three H-3 Sea King helicopters at Hickam Air Force Base. The H-3s act as the material control officer’s logistical arm from shore to sea. “We have these three H-3s solely for our use. Usually we have to take tactical helicopters from the ships, which can take away from the exercise. We’re having success from a logistical standpoint,” Lt. Angerman said.

The logistical component of RIMPAC 2006 proved successful not only on an operational front, but also from a coalition partnership standpoint. “We have integrated very well and are very much a team,” observed Lt. Angerman.

Keeping Communications Running
Information Technology specialists from participating nations worked in the coalition’s nerve center to keep communications running between participating forces. The center is responsible for monitoring computer systems, and relaying communications between participants. The 15 service members working at the center allow RIMPAC forces to coordinate all the events involved in the exercise.

“A lot of work and planning go into an event like this to make it go smoothly,” said U.S. Navy PO1 Corey Mills. “We are learning every day to prepare for any scenario that might present itself.” He noted that radio telephonic circuits were used in previous RIMPAC exercises. “Now we use an automated system,” he said.  “It’s a more versatile system which gives more nations a chance to play and be involved in the exercise.”

U.S. Navy Lt. Jose Galito said, “This system allows us to coordinate with air, sea and land assets.  It lets the players coordinate, collaborate, and participate with each other.” According to Lt. Galito, computer models help to a degree, but having real-life scenarios like RIMPAC gives participants the opportunity to learn and improve their communication techniques, speed and accuracy for future exercises. It also gives them valuable training that helps prepare them for actual events.

To overcome language differences RIMPAC participants included volunteers augmenting foreign units as translators. Their participation facilitated the sharing of information between participating nations, as well as observing nations preparing for possible participation in future RIMPAC exercises.

Amphibious Assault and Non-Combatant Evacuation Events
The last phase of RIMPAC 2006 was a scenario in which the participants worked together to enforce United Nations Security Council resolutions to prevent one fictitious country from invading another. As part of this role play, U.S. Marines conducted an amphibious beach assault, non-combatant evacuation operations, and raids on notional terrorist camps. Coalition air forces provided close air support, surveillance, air strikes, and anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

U.S. Marines from the USS Bonhomme Richard skillfully navigated their Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft across Bellows Beach on Oahu and through trees. The area represented the hostile fictional country of Orange. Infiltrating Orange by helicopter and LCAC, the Marines traversed enemy terrain and took control of the mock U.S. embassy, which was nearly overrun by role players acting as rioters. The Marines then evacuated more than 130 American citizens and four foreign nationals.

Once the area was secured, evacuees began arriving in trucks, helicopters, and even some by foot. The evacuees, who were sailors acting as role players, were processed through the Evacuation Command Center (ECC), where Marines performed security checks including identification checks, bag searches, and pat downs. After being evacuated by helicopter and LCAC, the evacuees were brought to Bonhomme Richard, where they were berthed, fed, and provided medical treatment. Navy medical personnel assigned to the ship and embarked with the Marines also responded to a mass casualty drill during the NEO exercise.

The NEO was followed by a CH-53D helicopter air raid on a simulated terrorist camp at Dillingham Air Force Base in northern Oahu. In addition, U.S. Marines from the amphibious ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) launched an amphibious assault vehicle raid on a notional terrorist camp in Kaneohe Bay.

U.S. Navy Capt. Steve Greene, commanding officer of the USS Bonhomme Richard, said the teamwork between the sailors and Marines was evident in the execution of naval and amphibious operations. “These evolutions take a total Navy/Marine Corps team effort,” he said. “The … team came together quickly and got the job done. Our watch standers and bilateral partners protected us to ensure we were able to execute our mission. Whether we’re taking the fight to our enemies or delivering aid to our friends, our job is to get our Marines where they are needed, on time,” he added.

Conclusion
RIMPAC 2006 provided an opportunity for allied nations to learn more about working together. The exercise fostered teamwork between eight allied nations, each bringing its own unique set of skills to the exercise. When combined, these skills represent a coalition capability far stronger than any one nation. RIMPAC 2006 helped fine-tune that coalition capability.

Commenting on Chile’s participation in the exercise, Vice Admiral Gerardo Covacevich Castex, chief of naval operations said, “Chilean prosperity relies on trade. The main road for this trade is the Pacific, so we couldn’t be more happy to be participating in this combined exercise.”

“We came to enhance our reputation,” said Commodore Richard Shalders, commander of the Australian Navy submarine group. “We’ve been in RIMPAC for more than 30 years as one of the principal players, and every single time, we value what we get by coming this far, particularly from the other side of the Pacific, with half our coastline facing this ocean. RIMPAC provides an opportunity to grow and develop professional forces capable of providing stability in our part of the world.”

“We had the opportunity to practice operational-level command and control, as well as flying various tactical air missions during the exercise,” said Canadian Col. John McManus. “Participation in RIMPAC is critical because there is simply no substitute for the experience gained by planning, training, and working in a coalition.”

“The exercise was a tremendous opportunity to learn and improve how we work together,” said Vice Adm. Barry Costello, commander, U.S. Third Fleet. “But more importantly, RIMPAC continues to build positive relationships among allied nations who share a common interest in peace, security and stability in the region.”