OTTAWA – The Government of Canada today announced that over 1,400 Canadian sailors, soldiers, and airmen and airwomen will participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012 combined and joint exercise taking place near the Hawaiian Islands from June 29 to August 3. RIMPAC is the world’s largest multi-national exercise and is designed to prepare military forces from Pacific Rim nations to work together in missions ranging from providing humanitarian aid to full-combat operations.
“Canadians should be very proud that our senior military officers are at the forefront of the leadership of this year’s exercise,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. “Canadian officers will hold three senior leadership positions in RIMPAC 2012, more than ever before. This demonstrates the high regard in which Canadian military personnel are held around the world.”
Rear-Admiral Ron Lloyd will be the Deputy Commander Combined Task Force; Brigadier-General Michael Hood will be the Combined Forces Air Component Commander; and Commodore Peter Ellis will serve as the Commander Combined Task Force 176, an amphibious Task Group led by the United States Ship Essex.
Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Victoria will be the first Victoria Class submarine to participate in the exercise. Other Royal Canadian Navy units include HMCS Algonquin, Ottawa, Brandon, Saskatoon and Yellowknife. Two teams from Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific), including a dive team and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Section, are also participating.
More than 150 soldiers from the Canadian Army’s 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry will work with the United States Marine Corps and other coalition units in an exercise to practice the evacuation of non-combatants.
In addition to extensive CC-177 Globemaster and CC-150 Polaris Airlift support, the Royal Canadian Air Force will deploy four CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft; seven CF-188 Hornet fighter jets; a CC-150 Air to Air Refueller; a CC-130HT Air to Air Refueller; and two CH-124 Sea Kings. The Royal Canadian Air Force will further deploy key air expertise to form the nucleus of the RIMPAC Combined Air Operations Centre.
The Canadian Forces will also be providing over 100 personnel to joint positions ranging from the leadership level to logistical support within the RIMPAC 2012 exercise.
RIMPAC began as an annual exercise in 1971, and since 1974 has been scheduled every second year. Canada has participated in every exercise since its inception. This year’s exercise will involve more than 42 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft, as well as 25,000 personnel from 22 participating nations.
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