Planners of this year’s Rim of the Pacific naval exercise inserted first-of-kind events to challenge navies large and small, seeking to create a multinational force that is more lethal and can better sustain itself in operations.
U.S. 3rd Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Michael Boyle, who is leading the ongoing exercise, said a major part of RIMPAC’s success is its broad message. “Just by flying their flag, [participants] bring a strategic message that they’re like-minded partners here and they’re after a free and open Pacific,” he told Defense News.
