Navy opens RIMPAC despite ongoing pandemic

By Justin Katz / August 18, 2020 at 10:27 AM

The Navy yesterday announced the beginning of the biennial, international maritime exercise Rim of the Pacific with a focus on at-sea demonstrations to minimize sailors' risk of being exposed to the coronavirus.

Hosted by the commander of the U.S. 3rd Fleet, this year's RIMPAC will feature 10 countries, 22 surface ships, a submarine, various aircraft and 5,300 personnel, according to an Aug. 17 Navy statement. It is scheduled to run from Aug. 17 to Aug. 31.

Exercises at this year's event will include anti-submarine warfare, maritime intercepts and live-fire training.

"While COVID-19 presents some challenges, all RIMPAC participants are practicing disciplined COVID mitigations to protect the citizens of Hawaii, the force, and prevent the spread of the virus while gaining invaluable experience working alongside our valued partners at sea," said Adm. John Aquilino, U.S. Pacific Fleet commander.

Inside Defense reported earlier this year the coronavirus had forced the Pentagon to cancel multiple exercises across all three services.

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