ESQUIMALT, B.C. – The Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) multi-national exercise will take place in the Hawaiian operating area from June 29 through July 31, 2008. Media representatives interested in Canadian Forces participation are encouraged to coontact Maritime Forces Public Affairs at (250) 363-5789 or marpac@shaw.ca to discuss media opportunities.
Canadian units:
- Navy: Her Majesty's Canadian (HMC) ships Ottawa and Regina and a Mine Countermeasure Dive Team from Fleet Diving Unit Pacific.
- Army: The "Red Devils" of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in Edmonton, Alta, reinforced by other combat arms and combat support elements from 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1 CMBG).
- Air Force: CF-18 supersonic tactical fighter jets, CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft, CC-130 air-to-air refuelling aircraft, and CH-124 Sea King maritime surveillance helicopter.
Canadians in leadership positions:
- Brigadier-General Yvan Blondin will be the Deputy Combined Force Air Component Commander and will direct the operations of over 150 military aircraft from seven different countries.
- Commodore Nigel Greenwood will be the Sea Combat Commander and will direct the operations of over 15 naval ships from seven different countries.
RIMPAC is a multi-national exercise designed to prepare forces to work together on a wide range of potential operations and missions. RIMPAC is part of a series of exercises the Canadian Forces uses to prepare for multi-national operations.
During the five-week exercise, participants will be put to the test during an intense series of drills and training which will include live missile firings, torpedo firings, gunnery exercises, air defence, surface and undersea warfare, maritime interception operations, boardings, mine warfare, diving, and amphibious operations.
Canada has participated in every RIMPAC exercise since the first in 1971. This year's exercise will involve ten nations, 35 ships, six submarines, over 150 aircraft and 20,000 sailors, airmen, marines, soldiers and coast guard personnel. Forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, the Netherlands, Peru, Republic of Korea, Singapore, United Kingdom and the United States are scheduled to participate.
