A group of about 500 personnel from the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Task Group successfully completed Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2020. The intensive two-week program entailed multinational anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction operations, and live-fire training events onboard HMC Ships Regina and Winnipeg.
The biennial event, hosted by the U.S. Navy’s Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet from August 17-31, was designed as an “at-sea only” event to address concerns around COVID-19. During the exercise, sailors and aviators trained alongside navies from allied and trusted partner nations from the Asia Pacific region. In total, 22 surface ships, one submarine, multiple aircraft, and approximately 5,300 personnel from Australia, Brunei, Canada, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, and the United States participated in RIMPAC 2020.
Seen as the world’s largest maritime exercise, Canada, Australia, and the United States have participated in each of the 27 RIMPACs since it started in 1971.
“Canadian security and prosperity rely increasingly on our relations in the Asia-Pacific: our longstanding participation in RIMPAC highlights our ongoing commitment to working with allies and trusted partners to foster peace and stability in the region,” said VAdm Art McDonald, Commander, Royal Canadian Navy.
With RIMPAC 2020 now completed, the next phase of HMCS Winnipeg’s deployment will be in Operation PROJECTION Asia-Pacific in demonstrating Canada’s ongoing commitment and the defence of Canada’s interests in the region.
“RIMPAC 2020 was a great success. We gained invaluable training experience, improved our ability to operate in a coalition environment, proved key combat capabilities, and fostered trust amongst allies and partner navies while ensuring the health and wellbeing of our sailors and aviators,” said Capt(N) Scott Robinson, Task Group Commander.