MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- In the midst of a priority on land-based regimental combat team operations overseas, Hawaii-based Marines are participating in Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2010, from June 23 to Aug. 1, to aid in maintaining the Corps’ tradition as an expeditionary force in readiness.
Held biennially in the waters off the coast of Hawaii, RIMPAC is the world’s largest multi-lateral maritime exercise. It affords the Corps the unique opportunity of embarking Marines assigned to 3rd Marine Regiment, vice a Marine Expeditionary Unit, aboard an amphibious vessel to refocus on amphibious planning and execution.
“Marines have a long tradition as “Soldiers of the Sea,”” said Capt. Colin Barry, assistant operations officer, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. “Participating in RIMPAC gives us an opportunity to plan and execute a variety of amphibious missions as part of our core capability set. It’s important to preserve the core capabilities and be able to execute these missions based on who and what we are.”
Given the emphasis on predeployment training for Afghanistan, the 2/3 Marines haven’t spent much time training with international partners on amphibious missions, said Barry, of McLean, Va. “The exercise is an awesome opportunity for us to build those bonds and benefit from the way our international partners operate,” he said.
For the ground combat element of the exercise and its logistical support element — largely comprised of Marines from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment; 1st Battalion, 12th Marines; Combat Logistics Battalion 3 and international ground forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru, and Tonga— RIMPAC is a stage for honing skills as a force in readiness to a broad spectrum of crises such as forcible entry, limited contingency response, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
Before commencing operations off the USS Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Assault Group, including the USS Cleveland and HMAS Kanimbla, the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force built cohesiveness and rapport through varied training on Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
The multinational ground combat element experienced the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, navigated the O-Course at Landing Zone Boondocker, increased familiarity with amphibious assault vehicles and helicopters, practiced firing on the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer, and executed enhanced marksmanship training at the base range training facility.
“This training helped the units executing RIMPAC to form cohesive teams during the harbor phase of training,” Barry said. He further explained how it would help prepare them to execute a variety of amphibious operation mission sets.
To strengthen force integration with their international counterparts, the 2/3 Marines will utilize AAVs to perform a live fire mechanized raid on MCB Hawaii, a helicopter raid at Kahuku Training Area and noncombatant evacuation operation at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows.
The ground combat element will also utilize Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, to execute a variety of force integration ranges including a machine gun and squad reinforced firing movement range, unknown distance rifle range, live fire shoot house and a fire support coordination exercise, Barry said.
Comprised of five submarines, 34 ships, 179 aircraft and approximately 20,000 personnel from 14 countries, RIMPAC was designed to strengthen regional partnerships, enhance bilateral interoperability and improve individual warfighting competencies. This year’s exercise marks the 22nd in a series beginning in 1971.
“RIMPAC gives us the opportunity to practice warfighting skills and increase interoperability while sponsoring the cross-pollination of participants’ knowledge,” said Maj. Mark Mombourquette, a Canadian Forces exchange officer and Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft RIMPAC lead coordinator, Command Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Two.
“We’re building a foundation to facilitate success and a smooth transition when our countries come together in the real world,” the Comox, British Columbia, Canada native said. “We train as we fight, so we train as a coalition.”
According to the U.S. Navy, participating units will conduct gunnery, missile, anti-submarine, and air defense exercises, as well as maritime interdiction and vessel boardings, explosive ordnance disposal, diving and salvage operations, mine clearance operations, and an amphibious landing during the exercise.
Beside the locations mentioned previously, the exercise will take place in the Hawaiian operating area and off-shore ranges including Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Pacific Missile Range Facility and Schofield Barracks.
“In Hawaii, we have a very unique opportunity, having subs, surface ships, Marines, and amazing range facilities at PTA and PMRF,” said Lt. Cmdr. Steve Platt, operations officer, CPRW-2, of Butler, Pa. “We’re going to utilize this playground and take advantage of the facilities in this finite area.”
According to the U.S. Navy, the exercise, hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, demonstrates a commitment to working with global partners in guarding the sea lanes of commerce and communication, protecting national interests abroad and ensuring freedom of navigation as a basis for global peace and prosperity.
Participants in RIMPAC 2010 include Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Peru, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand and the United States. Brazil, India, New Zealand and Uruguay are scheduled to send observers to the exercise.