26 Countries Gather In Hawaii For Massive War Game
World militaries will practice five weeks of training, teamwork and blowing stuff up during peak tourist season.
As summer visitors flock to Hawaii for sun, sand and surf, the militaries of more than two dozen nations will be in and around the islands for five weeks of war games.
The Rim of the Pacific exercise, hosted every two years by the U.S. Pacific Fleet, claims to be the world’s largest international maritime maneuvers. The Navy says the exercise, best known as RIMPAC, provides a unique training opportunity that fosters relationships vital to “ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans.”
The massive exercise also comes with controversy, drawing fire from Hawaii residents and environmental groups who say the games harm the ocean and marine life. Many of the activities will be far offshore, and won’t noticeably affect tourists.
This year’s exercise — the 25th since its inception in 1971 and the largest yet — kicks off Thursday and continues until Aug. 4. It will include 26 nations, 45 ships, more than 200 aircraft, five submarines and 25,000 personnel in and around the Hawaiian islands and in Southern California. (…)
This year’s exercise, themed “Capable, Adaptive, Partners,” also includes forces from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, People’s Republic of China, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga and the United Kingdom.
China’s return to RIMPAC — its second time participating — comes amid growing tension in the South China Sea. In March, Rep. Mark Takai (D-Hawaii) called on Secretary of Defense Ash Carter to bar China from participating in RIMPAC, saying the country’s behavior is “polar opposite of U.S. objectives in the region.”
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