FROM: U.S. NAVY
Marines assigned to Amphibious Assault Vehicle Platoon, Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, make their way to the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the biennial RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC 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. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares (Released) 120712-F-ZB240-995
Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Jeanette Nunn, right, and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Ashawn Robertson observe as an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Golden Dragons of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 192 launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis is conducting sustainment exercises off the coast of California designed to maintain mission readiness. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth Abbate (Released) 120716-N-OY799-391
