Asia Pacific Defense Forum Fall 2002

The Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy’s ROKS Yangmanchoon (DDH 973) conducts an underway replenishment with the oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) during RIMPAC 2002.
PHOTO BY SGT. CHOI TAICK-KYUN

P-3 maritime patrol aircraft from Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea and the United States line the apron at Kaneohe Marine Base, Hawaii, for RIMPAC 2002.
PHOTO BY PH2 JANE WEST, USN

Thirty-six ships, 24 aircraft and 11,000 sailors, airmen, Marines, soldiers and Coast Guardsmen from the seven nations participated in RIMPAC 2002 — the 18th in a series of RIMPAC exercises conducted periodically since 1971. RIMPAC 2002 events included three ship sinking exercises, Vandal anti-ship missile exercises, an anti-submarine warfare exercise, an amphibious assault, and a minesweeping exercise.

A variety of surface combatant ships, submarines, tactical aircraft, and amphibious forces participated. The United Kingdom supported the exercise with its highly skilled naval divers. The U.S. Third Fleet, commanded by Vice Adm. T. Michael Bucchi, coordinated the exercise. Individual units remained under operational control of their respective national commanders throughout the exercise.

The number of RIMPAC 2002 participants was 40 percent less than previous years, because half the participating nations had committed assets to the war on terrorism. The operational tempo in RIMPAC 2002, however, remained the same.

Foreign Observer Program

RIMPAC 2002 included a weeklong Foreign Observer Program. Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines each sent two representatives to observe and learn from some of the exercise events and to teach. "They [the observers] sent their best officers. They know what they are talking about — very knowledgeable, experienced. They know what they are looking for and what to ask," said U.S. Navy Cmdr. John Tokarewich. "I learned more about their national naval establishments, current operations in Southeast Asia, what allied forces possess, the problems they encounter in logistics and funding, and what to expect if my unit is mobilized."