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Foreword

Northeast Asia Engagement ::

People's Republic of China and U.S. Forces Enhancing Maritime Safety Throughout the Asia-Pacific Region

Proliferation Security Initiative Activities Attract International Interest

Cooperative Understanding ::

Cambodia-U.S. Navies Conduct Historic Exchange

Regional Response Forces ::

Indian, Canadian and U.S. Forces Partner for a Safer Asia-Pacific Region

RIMPAC 2006:
Fostering Regional Peace and Security

Philippine-U.S. Forces Building Interoperability and Goodwill

Happenings  ::

Happenings

RIMPAC 2006:
Fostering Regional Peace and Security
Compiled by Asia-Pacific Defense FORUM Staff

Compiled by Asia-Pacific Defense FORUM staff from press releases by CPO Walter T. Ham IV, USN, and SN Mark Patterson II, USN, assigned to USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs; TSgt. Chris Vadnais, USAF, assigned to Air Force Print News; PO1 Larry Foos, USN, and PO2 Joseph J. Olivares, USN, assigned to RIMPAC Coalition Information Bureau; and PO1 Joaquin Juatai, USN, assigned to USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs.

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.”

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