Over 40 Naval Ships Join for Rare Photo Op

A rare occurrence recently in the Pacific Ocean as more than 40 international naval ships joined together for a single photo shoot.

These amazing photos were captured during the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2014 exercise, the world’s largest international maritime exercise that takes place once every two years in and around the Hawaiian Islands. 

The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) led the close formation of 42 ships and submarines from 15 international partnership nations.

This year, a total of 22 nations, 49 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 20,000 personnel are participating in the RIMPAC Exercise from June 26 to August 1.

Of note, China made its first RIMPAC appearance in 43 years this year, sending four invited People’s Liberation Army ship’s and one uninvited spy ship to scope the exercise in the vicinity of Hawaii but outside U.S. territorial seas.

USS Ronald Reagan leading the formation. 

The 42-vessel formation, including 4 submarines

USS Peleliu

The People’s Liberation Army (Navy) replenishment ship Qiandaohu (AO 886)

The Republic of Korea destroyer Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong (DDG 993)

The People’s Liberation Army (Navy) hospital ship Peace Ark (T-AH 866), the U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7) and the Royal Norwegian Navy frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen (F310)

The littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) 

Photos courtesy U.S. Navy

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