RIMPAC 2014: World's largest naval exercise

Twenty-three nations, 47 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise scheduled June 26 to August 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

India is among the countries participating in the world's largest international maritime exercise, which provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans.

Hosted by United States Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2014 is the 24th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

Rediff.com brings for its readers glimpses of this mega exercise

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The Indian navy Shivalik-class stealth multi-role frigate INS Sahyadri (F 49) transits to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in preparation for the ship's participation in Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014.

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The Legged Squad Support System (LS3) walks around the Kahuku Training Area during the Rim of the Pacific 2014 exercise.

The LS3 is experimental technology being tested by the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab during Rim of the Pacific 2014. It is programmed to follow an operator through terrain, carrying heavy loads of gear or supplies such as water and food to Marines training.

There are multiple technologies being tested during RIMPAC, the largest maritime exercise in the Pacific region.

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Staff Sgt Sean Gilson, a boom operator on a KC-135 Stratotanker with the 465th Air Refueling Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, completes a checklist prior to refueling an aircraft during Rim of the Pacific exercise.

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F-16 Fighting Falcons with the 144th Fighter Wing, California Air National Guard fly in formation after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker with the 465th Air Refueling Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma during Rim of the Pacific exercise

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Amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23), littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4), joint high speed vessel USNS Millinocket (JHSV 3) and mobile landing platform USNS Montford Point (MLP 1) sail in formation off the coast of Southern California during exercise Rim of the Pacific 2014.

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A Canadian Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician, assigned to Fleet Diving Unit Pacific, jumps out of a US Army UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter, assigned to 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, as part of a multinational helicopter-insertion familiarization during Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014.

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Commander Joseph Gagliano (centre), commanding officer of the US Navy littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) describes state-of-the-art features of the bridge during a ship-tour for Rear Adm Ajendra B. Singh (right) and Commodore Alok Bhatnagar of the Indian Navy during Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014.

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A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C Orion fires a Harpoon anti-ship missile as part of Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014.

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A simulated casualty is placed onto the back of the Ground Unmanned Support Surrogate, experimental technology being tested by Marine Corps Warfighting Lab during Rim of the Pacific 2014 at Kahuku Training Area.

The GUSS is a multi-purpose support vehicle equipped with sensors to allow operation with or without a driver. GUSS is one of many technologies being experimented in a field environment during the Advanced Warfighting Experiment.

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A boarding team from the People's Republic of China, People's Liberation Army disembarks the Type 054A frigate PLA(N) Yueyang (FF 575) to participate in a maritime interdiction operations exercise (MIOEX) aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) as part of Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014.

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1st Sgt Jason Marshall, company first sergeant for India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, cleans his weapon before boarding CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters at Kahuku Training Area, as part of Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014.

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The US Navy guided missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG 73), the Mexican Navy patrol-vessel ARM Revolution (P 164), the People's Liberation Army (Navy) frigate Yueyang (FF 575) and destroyer PLA(N) Haikou (DD 171) move into a multi-ship formation during exercise Rim of the Pacific 2014.

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Lance Corporal Levi Johnson, an intelligence specialist with Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, launches the unmanned aerial surveillance drone to provide overwatch of friendly and enemy forces in the area at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows.

The UAS is a lightweight drone that can fly at a range of five-to-ten kilometers and stay in the air for up 90 minutes.

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Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Robert Miller launches a US Army AH-64E Apache Guardian from 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, during deck landing qualifications, a historical first for the E model of the Apache, on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) while underway for Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014.

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A member of the Peruvian naval special forces maintains security in a hallway during a nighttime direct action raid scenario as part of Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014.

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A Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diver explosive ordnance disposal technician participates in small arms marksmanship training during Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014.

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A Malaysian amphibious assault vehicle moves ashore carrying Malaysian troops from the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) during Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014. 

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The guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) launches a Harpoon missile during a live-fire event as part of exercise Rim of the Pacific 2014.

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Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship JS Kirishima (DDG 174) launches a training missile during exercise Rim of the Pacific 2014. 

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An MH-60S Sea Hawk assigned to the Black Knights of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 4, embarked on the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) passes by the littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2014.

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The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan is underway during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2014. 

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Canadian soldiers assigned to Princess Patricia's Light Infantry Division, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) finish a meal on the mess decks alongside US Navy Sailors, US Marines and soldiers and sailors from other countries, including Republic of Korea, Japan, Malaysia and Australia, during Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014. 

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A US Marine Special Operations team member lowers an elite canine into a rigid-hulled inflatable boat set to depart the littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) during a training mission for Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014. 

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An A-10 Thunderbolt II with the 47th Fighter Squadron lines up with a boom to receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker with the 465th Air Refueling Squadron during Rim of the Pacific exercise

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Staff Sgt Jelco Brander of Royal Netherlands Navy Maritime Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company attaches guide lines and wires to ramp stairs prior to boarding a Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 767 during a bomb-on board plane take-down training scenario at Honolulu International Airport as part of Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014. 

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US Marine Cpl. Joseph Josleyn, liaison for the Indonesian marines, talks with their squad leader on a reconnaissance patrol to discuss routes through the jungle.

The Indonesians, from various units of the Korps Marinir, trained with US Marines assigned to India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment during Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014. 

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Three Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornet’s come alongside a RCAF CC-150T Polaris to refuel just off the coast of Hawaii during the Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014. 

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Republic of Korea SEALS provide security in a military operations in urban terrain facility during a special operations forces integration as part of Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014.

The SOF integration used the combat skills and capabilities of US Marine Special Operations Team 8133, ROK SEALS and Peru Special Forces to take down and capture a high value target. 

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A US Marine holds position at Pacific Missile Range Facilityduring the air assault portion of Rim of the Pacific 2014. 

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