AUSTRALIA TO PARTICIPATE IN LARGEST PACIFIC MARITIME EXERCISE

Seven Pacific rim nations along with the United Kingdom are participating in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006, a major maritime exercise being conducted in the waters off Hawaii from June 26 through July 28, 2006.

RIMPAC 2006 brings together maritime forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Australian units, HMA Ships Stuart, Manoora and Rankin, Australian Clearance Diving Team One and, two AP3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft with three RAAF crews will be involved in the exercise.

This year's exercise is the twentieth in a series of RIMPAC exercises conducted since 1971.  RIMPAC training operations will include participation by 35 ships including an aircraft carrier, six submarines, over 160 aircraft and, 18 000 sailors, airmen, marines, soldiers and coastguardsmen.

RIMPAC is intended to increase the tactical proficiency of participating units in a wide array of combined operations at sea. By enhancing interoperability, RIMPAC promotes stability in the Pacific Rim region to the benefit of all participating nations.

A RIMPAC web site highlighting exercise activities and imagery will be active during the exercise at www.defence.gov.au/RIMPAC2006

Media Contact:

Lieutenant Travis Crozier

Fleet Public Affairs Officer, Maritime Command

Phone: (02) 9359 4645 or Mobile: 0411 252 984

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