RIMPAC 2026 wraps up on a high note

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii — The biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise wrapped up July 31 after five weeks of training in and around the Hawaiian Islands, marking the 30th iteration since the series began in 1971. RIMPAC 2026 brought together 30 nations and more than 30,000 personnel, with 30 surface ships, five submarines, and more than 197 aircraft operating 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.”

Coinciding with the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary, this year’s exercise emphasized combined and joint interoperability and readiness across the Indo-Pacific. Activities unfolded in three phases: an in-port period to establish multinational command relationships and conduct planning and professional exchanges; extensive at-sea training across missions including anti-submarine warfare, maritime strike, integrated air and missile defense, amphibious operations, and logistics; and a concluding free-play scenario that tested forces in dynamic, opposing situations.

Participants executed more than 500 maritime training events and flew more than 2,400 sorties while responding to over 5,000 scenario-based operational problem sets. “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.”

Leadership roles reflected broad multinational integration. The Republic of Korea Navy commanded the Combined Force Maritime Component, while the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force served as Vice Commander of the Combined Task Force. A Chilean Navy representative led the Maritime Logistics Support Element, the first time a non-Anglophone partner nation has headed that mission. Brunei served as the maritime lead and a Canadian representative served as the air lead in designated areas. Additional leadership positions included an Indian Navy deputy commander for Theater Anti-Submarine Warfare Combined Task Force 174; a Peruvian Navy commander for Combined Amphibious Task Force 176.1; and a Royal Canadian Air Force deputy commander for Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Combined Task Force 172. The Philippine Coast Guard, Fiji, Greece, Guatemala, Poland, and Spain participated in RIMPAC for the first time. A Canadian representative led the first multinational maritime tactical combat casualty care course for non-medical participants.

Innovation featured prominently. An unmanned surface vessel maneuvered into the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex to deliver additively manufactured supplies. The U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force conducted dual Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile launches from maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. The Joint Advanced Manufacturing Cell ran the Department of the Navy’s largest advanced manufacturing demonstration, deploying containerized expeditionary 3D-hybrid metal printing systems aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt, USS Essex, and MV Asterix to enable onboard production and repair of mission-critical components while underway. Nations also stood up the first coalition meteorology and oceanography forecasting cell to facilitate technical exchanges.

Combined and joint operations expanded integration across services and partners. A Royal Australian Navy MH-60R helicopter detachment embarked on a U.S. Navy destroyer. The Republic of Korea Navy deployed its P-8A Poseidon for combined anti-submarine warfare operations. U.S. Army rotary-wing aircraft embarked aboard USS Essex to demonstrate pre-amphibious raid sea-basing capabilities. Two live-fire sinking exercises brought together 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. U.S. and Canadian medical personnel embarked aboard USS Essex supported medical emergency response and forward surgical teams, conducting real-world casualty evacuation and underway surgical procedures.

“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.”

“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 spearheaded by U.S. 3rd Fleet. Multinational leadership included Kobayashi as Vice Commander of the Combined Task Force; Chilean Navy Commodore Andres Howard as Deputy Commander of the Combined Task Force; Kim as Commander of the Combined Force Maritime Component; and Royal Canadian Air Force Brig. Gen. J. S. Davis as Commander of the Combined Force Air Component.

In total, 30 nations, 30 surface ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 197 aircraft, and more than 30,000 personnel participated from June 24 to July 31. The exercise underscored how trust, cooperation, and shared values bolster maritime security, strengthen the protection of sea lanes, and support a free and open Indo-Pacific.