A Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Task Group, comprised of approximately 500 personnel on board HMC Ships Regina and Winnipeg, successfully completed Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2020, concluding an intensive two-week program that entailed multinational anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction operations and live-fire training events.
From 17 to 31 August, sailors and aviators trained alongside navies from allied and trusted partner nations from the Asia Pacific region. Hosted biennially by the U.S. Navy's Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, this year's exercise was designed as an "at-sea only" event to address concerns around COVID-19.
In total, 22 surface ships, one submarine, multiple aircraft and approximately 5,300 personnel from Australia, Brunei, Canada, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, and the United States participated in RIMPAC 2020.
Typically the world's largest maritime exercise, Canada, along with Australia and the United States, has participated in every rendition of the 27 RIMPACs since their inception in 1971.
Canada is a maritime nation with strong ties to the Asia-Pacific. Our security and prosperity depend increasingly on our partnerships in the region. The RCN's regular participation in RIMPAC supports military diplomacy that, in turn, fosters trust and cooperation amongst allies and partners. At the same time, our continuing presence in the Pacific demonstrates our national commitment to promoting peace and security throughout the world.
Quotes
"I am very proud how our naval personnel represented the Canadian Armed Forces during this year's modified version of RIMPAC. Canadian security and prosperity rely increasingly on our relations in the Asia-Pacific: our longstanding participation in RIMPAC highlights our ongoing commitment to working with allies and trusted partners to foster peace and stability in the region."
- Vice-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander, Royal Canadian Navy
"RIMPAC 2020 was a great success. We gained invaluable training experience, improved our ability to operate in a coalition environment, proved key combat capabilities and fostered trust amongst allies and partner navies while ensuring the health and wellbeing of our sailors and aviators."
- Captain(N) Scott Robinson, Task Group Commander
Quick facts
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The RCN committed to participating in RIMPAC 2020 in a significant way in order to maximize the unique training opportunities this biennial exercise provides as well as to strengthen relationships with allies and trusted partners in the Pacific.
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The two Cyclones and their crews performed exceptionally well during RIMPAC 2020, successfully marking the first occasion the RCAF has deployed these helicopters in the biennial exercise.
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Canada is an original participant in RIMPAC and is one of only three nations to have participated in every RIMPAC. Participation in RIMPAC this year balanced the requirement to complete critical tasks and high readiness training in support of planned operations with the requirement to protect the health and safety of our personnel.
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Having completed RIMPAC 2020, the next phase of HMCS Winnipeg's deployment will be participation in Operation PROJECTION Asia-Pacific, which demonstrates Canada's ongoing commitment to global peace and shows how the RCN is ready to defend Canada's interests in the region.
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The RCN sailors remained healthy and safe from Covid-19 during this year's RIMPAC by taking several steps to mitigate the risk to the naval team, both in sea-going and shore-based units. These measures included increased cleaning routines on board ships and personal hygiene for our ship's companies. Navy leadership and individual command teams used common sense to create physical distance onboard ships to the greatest extent possible, and took additional steps to safeguard the health and operational effectiveness of our sailors.
