- continued -

Naval personnel from three countries coordinate underwater maneuvering for a RIMPAC wreckage dive. L to R: Japanese Lt. j. g. Koyuichi Mutou and PO 2nd Class Kiichi Suetake, Canadian PO 1st Class Mark Oliver, and Peruvian Lt. Cmdr. Miguel Mejia. PHOTO BY PH3(AW) MICHAEL J. PUSNIK, JR., USN

Rear Adm. Shun Shinohara, Commander of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Escort Flotilla One, addresses exercise participants and press at RIMPAC opening ceremonies. PHOTO BY WILLIAM R. GOODWIN, USN

"The observers needed to see as many different facets of the exercise as possible," said U.S. Navy Lt. Ric Arthur, the program coordinator. The program allows the observing nations to "see the level of professionalism and integration needed to participate in RIMPAC."

"I saw at close range how to run an exercise as big as RIMPAC," said Royal Malaysian Navy Lt. Cmdr. Asmayatim bin Abdul. He noted how U.S. Navy Reservists are called in for added flexibility. "We don’t pull in Reservists because [our] exercises are smaller."

"Malaysia’s bilateral exercises are normally with neighboring countries," said Royal Malaysian Navy Cmdr. Abdallah bin Sukran. Malaysia is a member of the Five Power Defense Arrangement with United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

It is not uncommon for nations to be Foreign Observer Program members several times before participating in RIMPAC exercises. Singapore was an observer for the third time. Peru was a foreign observer twice before participating for the first time in RIMPAC 2002. "This year represents an achievement of a long-term goal. This is a great opportunity to share experiences at sea with different navies," said Peruvian Navy Lt. Jean Louis Brousset.