Oklahoma Citizen Airmen arrive for RIMPAC

  • Published
  • By 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM  - Citizen Airmen from the 507th Air Refueling Wing, Tinker Air Force Base arrived in Hawaii July 7, 2016 to support the Rim of the Pacific Exercise also known as RIMPAC.

 

The Oklahoma Reservists join forces with other forces from twenty-six nations, 49 ships, six submarines, about 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel who are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.

 

The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships between participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

 

Adm. Scott Swift, U.S. Pacific Fleet commander, and Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, U.S. 3rd Fleet commander and exercise RIMPAC Combined Task Force commander, explained the exercise is a one way cooperation between partners and allies promotes continued prosperity in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

 

From building partnerships to promoting safer sea lanes and experimentation to innovation, Tyson said there is one thing for certain.

 

"I think I can speak for each of the international leaders here and the more than 25,000 personnel taking part, when I say that we are excited to get this exercise underway," Tyson said. "We're looking forward to a great exercise with our friends and partners, and we all recognize that the time and the effort that went in to planning and executing this complex exercise will result in a naval force that is collectively more capable of keeping our oceans safe and global commerce moving . RIMPAC 2016 will certainly help us meet those expectations."