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 military forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.

This year's exercise is the Twentieth in a series of RIMPAC exercises conducted periodically since 1971. Over 40 ships, six submarines, 160 aircraft and almost 19,000 Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Soldiers and Coastguardsmen will participate in RIMPAC training operations. RIMPAC is intended to enhance the tactical proficiency of participating units in a wide array of combined operations at sea. By enhancing interoperability, RIMPAC helps to promote stability in the Pacific Rim region to the benefit of all participating nations. This year's exercise includes a variety of surface combatant ships, submarines, tactical aircraft, and amphibious forces. The United States THIRD Fleet, Commanded by Vice Admiral Barry Costello, is responsible for overall exercise coordination. Individual units remain under operational command of their respective national commanders throughout the exercise.

A RIMPAC web site containing details regarding exercise activities and imagery from exercise operations will be active during the exercise at http://www.c3f.navy.mil/RIMPAC_2006/