Coordinating for a RIMPAC mission

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Eric Wilks, left, and Lt. Col. Marv Ashbaker, center, and Master Sgt. Alvin Kuger, assigned to the 465th Air Refueling Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., coordinate for a refueling mission in support of exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, on July 8, 2010. RIMPAC 2010 is the 22nd in a series of significant international combined/joint military exercises scheduled biennially by U.S. Pacific Fleet and takes place in the Hawaiian operating area. RIMPAC training operations include participation by more than 14 nations, 34 ships, five submarines, more than 100 aircraft, and more than 20,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen. Multilateral exercises such as RIMPAC enhance cooperation between partnering nations and provides a unique opportunity to practice the abilities to plan, communicate, and execute operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kamaile O. Long/Released)