A U.S. Navy mine-clearing team participates in a mine sweep exercise event. Photo by PH2 Richard J. Brunson, USN
	A Battle-Space Preparation Autonomous Underwater Vehicle launched from the High-Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) begins a hunt for mock mines. Photo by PH2 Richard J. Brunson, USN
	An Australian clearance diving team conducts a clandestine insertion. Commonwealth of Australia Department of Defence photo by Royal Australian Navy ABCD Dawson
	Canadian Air Force sensor operators track the USS Charlotte (SSN 766) aboard a Canadian CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft. Canadian Department of National Defence photo by Canadian Navy Lt. Cmdr. Gerry Pash
	Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine JDS Narushio sits pier side at Naval Station Pearl Harbor before participating in RIMPAC 2004. Photo by PH Bradley J. Sapp, USN
	Australian Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Manfield (center) and Chilean Navy Cmdr. Felipe Parga (right) confer with Australian Navy WO Colin Coke (left) on submarine operations during RIMPAC 2004. Photo by PH1 Jane West, USN
	Republic of Korea submarine ROKS Changbogo (SS 061) heads out to sea for RIMPAC 2004. Photo by PH1(AW/SW) David A. Levy, USN

Other key elements of the ATO process included rules of engagement provided by Judge Advocate General representatives and information from intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance specialists. “Intelligence personnel are essential to help shape the battle space, to plan and provide targeteering, and to deliver combat assessment,” explained Capt. Hinrichs, adding, “They thread themselves throughout the entire cycle.”

Air missions included moving cargo or people, airborne refueling, maintaining surveillance, and targeting a threat. During any particular day, the various cells worked up to four different ATOs. Maintaining the integrity of each ATO is vital. “They own that ATO through the whole cycle from birth to execution,” said Capt. Hinrichs.

Coalition air force commanders had access to all information necessary to respond to the mission from each of the participating nations through the Theater Battle Management Core System. This is a Web-based system for planning, managing, and executing the air war. Computer programs keep track of the latest information on targets, weapons, fuel loads, weather, and navigation. Commanders at all levels access the Web page and execute the plan while preparing future operations.

While the Plans Division deals with assigning and moving aircraft, the CAOC also includes information for intelligence preparation of the battlefield with military and diplomatic warnings and indications of opposing and hostile forces and their capabilities. A continuous collection and display of information affecting the battlespace allows the allocation of assets to the appropriate targets.

Canadian Air Force Capt. Mark Mombourquette, noted, “[The CAOC] utilizes many of the same air operations procedures [AOP] that we are quite familiar with. The scope is larger and the pace is more dynamic. Our Canadian team is certainly gaining further experience in AOP.” Canadian Maj. Ken Craig of the Maritime Air Component Pacific added, “What is happening here provides a new appreciation of why we do what we do at the Maritime Air Components located at MARPAC and MARLANT [Canadian Navy’s Maritime Forces Pacific and Maritime Forces Atlantic]. The RIMPAC exercise gives our people an opportunity to train as we would fight,” he said.

Determined to gain the most from the CAOC experience for Canada, Col. Henneberry focused the efforts of his team to further develop the resident air component capability at both MARPAC and MARLANT. At the same time, through this experience, a new cadre of qualified air component staff will be ready and available to integrate seamlessly into any coalition CAOC. Col. Henneberry pointed out, “This entire facility can be transported anywhere in the world in two C-130 Hercules aircraft. It would take very little to expand our [Canada’s] existing Transportable Tactical Communications Centre to replicate what is here to provide self-supported communications, command, control, and intelligence to any combined or joint operation to direct a medium intensity air operation.”

Commenting on the success of the CAOC, Col. Henneberry said, “Right from the Mid-Planning Conference through the execution of the exercise, the relationship has been outstanding. More importantly, however, has been the high level of confidence that we have had in [the U.S. Navy] and the level of confidence they’ve had in us . . . .” Echoing Col. Henneberry, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. D. C. Curtis, Commander, Cruiser-Destroyer Group Five, declared, “The CAOC has performed exceptionally. The interoperability is the best I’ve ever seen in any coalition exercise.”

Canada had several aircraft participating in RIMPAC 2004. They included two CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft and two CH-124 Sea King helicopters on the guided missile destroyer HMCS Algonquin (DDG 283) and the patrol frigate HMCS Regina (FFH 334). “While we are not the biggest players here, bringing aircraft allows us to fly missions, participate in the command and control, and have a say in the decision-making process,” declared Canadian Lt. Col. McManus. “We are therefore full partners in the process and capable of assuming leadership positions within a multinational coalition.”

During the exercise, the U.S. Navy’s twin-hulled catamaran High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) carried and tested the Battle-Space Preparation Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, a small, fast underwater robot that maps the ocean bottom near the shore, detects changes in inshore conditions, and hunts mines.

To learn more about each other, the ships exchanged crew members before the exercise. More than 60 sailors crossed decks between the two navies. “The cross-pollination was a huge success,” said Lt. Cmdr. King. “It just pays dividends in the long run. We have enjoyed immensely working with [the U.S. sailors]. The friendships that we’ve made, I’m sure they’ll stand the test of time.”

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