The 29th iteration of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise is set to cover all major aspects of warfare and naval operations, from anti-submarine warfare to disaster response. Partner nations from around the world have gathered in Hawaii to participate in a range of exercises and team building spanning the next month.

Carter Johnston

28 Jun 2024

Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 has officially begun in Hawai’i, bringing 29 partner nations and 25,000 personnel, making this year’s RIMPAC in the largest iteration to date by number of countries involved. Over the next month, from June 27th to August 1st, participants will embark on exercises that cover all the bases of the maritime domain, from disaster response to multi-axis carrier defense.

RIMPAC 2024 Combined Task Force Commander Vice Admiral John Wade opened the day answering questions and beginning the formal ceremony that kicked off this year’s iteration of RIMPAC.

Partner nations have been arriving in Hawai’i by sea and air over the past few weeks, building up the scores of aircraft, ships, and submarines in the days before RIMPAC. Notable participants this year include a French Aquitaine-class FREMM Frigate Bretagne (D655), Royal Netherlands Navy’s De Zeven Provinciën-class air defense frigate HNLMS Tromp (F803), the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) with its F-35C Lightning II Advanced Air Wing, and a South Korean Sejong the Great-class ROKS Yulgok Yi I (DDG-992), among dozens of other ships and submarines participating.

Participating nations in this year’s iteration of RIMPAC are Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Republic of Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga and the United Kingdom.

The RIMPAC 2024 Docket

While a full list of events is not public, the U.S. Navy has confirmed that this year’s RIMPAC will feature the largest humanitarian aid and disaster response to date.

This year’s RIMPAC will host its largest humanitarian aid and disaster relief exercise with eight countries, five ships, five landing craft, five aircraft, multiple land forces, and over 2,500 total participants including the statewide Hawaii Healthcare Emergency Management exercise. The exercise control and scenario development are supported by subject matter experts from the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management, Pacific Disaster Center, USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, and Singapore’s Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre.

U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Press Statement

Customary to RIMPAC, a SINKEX is also planned for mid-July featuring ex-USS Tarawa (LHA-1), an amphibious assault ship that served in the United States Navy from 1976 to 2009. Tarawa was stricken from the naval registry on April 30, 2024. More SINKEX events may be planned, but their details are not currently available to the public.

Other at-sea activities include anti-submarine warfare, multi-ship surface warfare, multinational amphibious landings, and multi-axis defense of the carrier strike group against live forces.

HONOLULU (KHON2) — One day after the Department of Law Enforcement told KHON2 that more arrests of Hawaii state deputies was likely, another has been arrested.

The deputy, who is assigned to the Airport Division, was arrested Thursday morning on suspicion of harassment. This comes after two deputies assigned to the State Capitol were arrested one week apart for similar allegations and another deputy assigned to the airport was arrested on Wednesday.

The DLE told KHON2 that there were a total of eight deputies under investigation for misconduct and they had three different investigations underway.

The DLE maintains that the arrests are isolated incidents.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Thursday marks National Pineapple Day and the Blood Bank of Hawaii is making the most of it by partnering with Dole Food Company.

It’s part of an ongoing effort to bolster local blood supply at Hawaii’s blood banks.

Blood Bank of Hawaii says the blood supply for the state is at a critical level and during the summer months, blood donations drop by 15%, impacting local hospitals.

Dole is encouraging the community to make an appointment to donate blood.

In return, donors will receive a fresh Dole Royal Hawaiian Pineapple, while supplies last.

While all blood types are welcome, Blood Bank of Hawaii says there’s a critical need for O-type and platelet donations to meet the daily needs of local hospitals and patients.

Visit one of the blood drives listed below on Thursday to receive your fresh pineapple:

• 1907 Young Street, Honolulu, HI 96826 (Young Street Donor Center) from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• 94-849 Lumiaina Street, Waipahu, HI 96797 (Waikele Center) from 12:00 p.m. to 6 p.m.

To make an appointment, visit bbh.org or call (808) 848-4770.

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