International Exercises

Ships sail for RIMPAC

For the 20^th time since 1971 Canadian ships and aircraft will participate in the multi-national exercise RIMPAC during July in waters off Hawaii.  Participating nations include Canada, Australia, Chile, Japan, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.  Observer nations are Ecuador, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore and Thailand.

Commodore Bruce Donaldson, Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific, will serve as the Deputy Commander Combined Task Force leading a multi-national force comprised of sea, air and land units.

Canada’s contribution includes HMC Ships, Algonquin, Vancouver, and Regina with two CH-124 Sea King Helicopters and air detachments from 443 Squadron at Pat Bay, plus a team of clearance divers from Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific).  For the first time since 1996, there will be six CF-18 Fighters from 3 Wing Bagotville supported by a CC-130 Hercules from 435 Squadron, 17 Wing Winnipeg.  Two CP-140 Aurora Maritime Patrol Aircraft from 407 Squadron at 19 Wing Comox round out air force support.  HMCS Algonquin and Vancouver leave Esquimalt this Friday, while HMCS Regina is already underway.  Following RIMPAC, Regina will carry on to the Western Pacific to make port visits in South Korea, China and Japan.

During the workup portion of the exercise HMCS Algonquin and Vancouver will fire surface-to air and surface-to-surface missiles.  The CF-18 detachment will take part in live fire missions including air-to-surface and air-to-air missile shoots.

The first RIMPAC exercise took place in 1971 and now occurs every second year.  This year is the 20th exercise in the series.  RIMPAC is intended to enhance the tactical proficiency of the participants in a wide array of combined operations at sea and in the littoral.  This year’s exercise includes more than 35 ships, six submarines, over 160 aircraft and 18,000 sailors, marines, soldiers and aircrew.  Canadian personnel number about 1,000 at sea and ashore.

On Canada’s role in the exercise, Commodore Donaldson declares, “It is Canadian participation in exercises like RIMPAC that allows the Canadian Forces to be effective and leading contributors to multinational operations around the world.  This exercise enhances our ability to work with the forces of other nations and it promotes stability in the Pacific Rim region to the benefit of all.”

The United States Third Fleet, commanded by Vice Admiral Barry M. Costello, is responsible for the overall coordination of the exercise. Each of the participating countries maintains national command and operational control of its forces throughout the exercise.

A RIMPAC web site containing details regarding exercise activities and imagery from exercise operations will be active during the exercise at:

http://www.c3f.navy.mil/RIMPAC_2006/index.htm

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