RIMPAC 2026 wraps up on a high note

The world’s largest combined and joint maritime exercise wrapped up July 31 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, capping five weeks of training in and around the Hawaiian Islands for the 30th iteration of Rim of the Pacific. RIMPAC 2026 brought together 30 nations and more than 30,000 personnel, with 30 surface ships, five submarines and more than 197 aircraft, under the theme Partners: Integrated and Prepared.

“No single nation can ensure security in the Pacific alone,” said U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Jeff Jablon, Commander, RIMPAC 2026 Combined Task Force. “The global maritime environment is too large and too complex for any one country to safeguard by itself. RIMPAC gives us the chance to build the trust and relationships that make us stronger long before any crisis happens.”

The exercise coincided with the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary, highlighting the long-standing network of alliances and partnerships that underpin maritime security across the Pacific. “The network of allies and partners in the region is an asymmetric advantage,” Jablon said. “The work participating nations do at RIMPAC builds the combined and joint ability to deter conflict and supports all nations in exercising their sovereign rights and freedoms in the maritime domain.”

Training unfolded in three phases: an in-port period to establish multinational command relationships and plan operations; an at-sea phase focused on complex scenarios including anti-submarine warfare, maritime strike, integrated air and missile defense, amphibious operations and logistics; and a concluding free-play phase that tested forces in dynamic, opposing scenarios. Over the course of the exercise, participants conducted more than 500 maritime training events, flew more than 2,400 sorties and addressed more than 5,000 scenario-based operational problem sets.

“Interoperability is something we must continue to develop,” said Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Adm. Takuo Kobayashi, Vice Commander, RIMPAC 2026 Combined Task Force. “RIMPAC brings together allies and partners committed to strengthening security and stability across the region. The daily conversations, shared experiences, and personal relationships developed throughout the exercise strengthen our ability to respond together, whether supporting maritime security or assisting communities following a disaster.”

This year’s exercise featured expanded multinational leadership roles and several firsts. A Republic of Korea Navy representative commanded the Combined Force Maritime Component; a Chilean Navy representative led the Maritime Logistics Support Element, the first time a non-Anglophone partner nation held that role; key leaders from Brunei served as the maritime lead while a Canadian representative led the air component; an Indian Navy representative served as deputy commander of Theater Anti-Submarine Warfare Combined Task Force 174; a Peruvian Navy representative commanded Combined Amphibious Task Force 176.1; and a Royal Canadian Air Force representative served as deputy commander of Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Combined Task Force 172. New participants included the Philippine Coast Guard, Fiji, Greece, Guatemala, Poland and Spain. Canada also led the exercise’s first multinational maritime tactical combat casualty care course for non-medical participants.

Innovation milestones included an unmanned surface vessel maneuvering into the well deck of USS Essex (LHD 2) to deliver additively manufactured supplies; dual Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile launches by the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force from maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft; and the Department of the Navy’s largest advanced manufacturing demonstration, with containerized expeditionary 3D-hybrid metal manufacturing systems deployed aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), USS Essex and MV Asterix (A147). Partner nations also formed the first coalition meteorology and oceanography forecasting cell to share technical expertise.

Combined and joint operations saw a Royal Australian Navy MH-60R helicopter detachment embark on a U.S. Navy destroyer; the Republic of Korea Navy employ its new P-8A Poseidon in anti-submarine warfare; and U.S. Army rotary-wing aircraft embark on USS Essex to demonstrate sea-basing ahead of amphibious raids. Two live-fire sinking exercises integrated forces from Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force. A large-scale amphibious operation showcased ship-to-shore integration, helicopter-borne air assault, tactical combat casualty care and landing craft recovery, while U.S. and Canadian medical teams aboard USS Essex conducted real-world casualty evacuation and surgical procedures underway.

“RIMPAC provides partner nations the opportunity to train alongside allies and partners in a realistic, multinational environment designed to improve combined maritime operations,” said Republic of Korea Navy Rear Adm. In-ho Kim, Commander, RIMPAC 2026 Combined Force Maritime Component. “By training together in these complex scenarios, nations improve readiness, refine warfighting skills, and build the teamwork needed to operate effectively side by side.”

RIMPAC 2026 was hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet and led by U.S. 3rd Fleet with integrated multinational leadership. Kobayashi served as Vice Commander, RIMPAC 2026 Combined Task Force; Chilean Navy Commodore Andres Howard served as Deputy Commander; Kim led the Combined Force Maritime Component; and Royal Canadian Air Force Brig. Gen. J. S. Davis commanded the Combined Force Air Component.

The 30th RIMPAC, which ran from June 24 to July 31, included 15 national land forces alongside maritime and air components. The series began in 1971 and is intended to strengthen interoperability and build trust among allies and partners to support security of sea lanes and a stable Indo-Pacific.