U.S. 3rd Fleet concludes Mid-Planning Conference for largest-ever RIMPAC

05 December 2025

From Commander, U.S. Third Fleet

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII — Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet concluded the mid-planning conference for Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 at Marine Corps Base Hawaii on Dec. 5, 2025.

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The official logo of the Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026. RIMPAC is a biennial exercise designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships, critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The exercise, which takes place in the waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands, is a unique training platform designed to enhance interoperability and strategic maritime partnerships. (U.S. Navy graphic by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lordin Kelly)

Participants from 32 nations attended the five-day conference to share information and integrate planning efforts, building off the progress from the Initial Planning Conference in June. The in-person meeting enabled participants to review detailed plans for the exercise and coordinate face-to-face with their international counterparts.

"The practical purpose of this conference was to establish RIMPAC 2026 plans inclusive of unit training objectives that each nation plans to incorporate," said Rear Adm. Suzanne Krauss, deputy commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet.

Krauss added that in addition to furthering unit training, "participants utilized this time to establish working relationships that will build the foundation for ensuring interoperability."

During her introductory brief, Krauss also revealed the RIMPAC 2026 logo, the result of a months-long contest held in advance of the exercise. Of the 29 competitive entries from around the world, the selected logo belonged to U.S. 3rd Fleet Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lordin Kelly.

An Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 banner is displayed during the RIMPAC Mid-Planning Conference at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 4, 2025. RIMPAC is the world's largest international maritime exercise, providing a unique training opportunity that fosters and sustains cooperative relationships among participants. These relationships are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2026 marks the 30th iteration of the biennial exercise, which began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lordin Kelly)

Members of partner and ally nations attend the Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 PHOTOEX brief at the RIMPAC 2026 Mid-Planning Conference at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 4, 2025. RIMPAC is the world's largest international maritime exercise, providing a unique training opportunity that fosters and sustains cooperative relationships among participants. These relationships are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2026 marks the 30th iteration of the biennial exercise, which began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lordin Kelly)

Col. Jeremy W. Beaven, commanding officer, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, gives remarks to members of partner and ally nations at the Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 Mid-Planning Conference at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 2, 2025. RIMPAC is the world's largest international maritime exercise, providing a unique training opportunity that fosters and sustains cooperative relationships among participants. These relationships are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2026 marks the 30th iteration of the biennial exercise, which began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lordin Kelly)

Lt. Cmdr. Meghan Grenier, Destroyer Squadron 23 operations officer, gives remarks during the Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 PHOTOEX brief to members of partner and ally nations at the RIMPAC Mid-Planning Conference at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 4, 2025. RIMPAC is the world's largest international maritime exercise, providing a unique training opportunity that fosters and sustains cooperative relationships among participants. These relationships are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2026 marks the 30th iteration of the biennial exercise, which began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lordin Kelly)

Members of partner and ally nations pose for a group photo during the Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 Mid-Planning Conference at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 2, 2025. RIMPAC is the world's largest international maritime exercise, providing a unique training opportunity that fosters and sustains cooperative relationships among participants. These relationships are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2026 marks the 30th iteration of the biennial exercise, which began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lordin Kelly)

Honoring the exercise’s location in and around the Hawaiian Islands, the logo features Navy ships, a submarine, and aircraft alongside a tropical island landscape. At the center of the logo is a trident, representative of both U.S. 3rd Fleet and the joint warfighting capabilities of land, air, and sea.

Capt. Brian Jamison, RIMPAC 2026 exercise director, highlighted the scope of the exercise. "This is the largest RIMPAC ever with 37 invited countries," he said.

Jamison stressed the importance of the planning efforts: "This is a special opportunity, and it is important that we keep in mind how many different organizations, languages, and cultures are trying to come together and seamlessly accomplish something truly important. We must use this time to meet the needs of each nation’s training and interoperability objectives and ensure we can operate successfully now and into the future".

RIMPAC 2026 will mark a significant milestone as the 30th iteration of the world’s largest international maritime exercise, aligning with the historic celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday. Set against the backdrop of America’s semiquincentennial, RIMPAC 2026 will bring together allied and partner nations to strengthen interoperability, enhance collective maritime security, and underscore the enduring commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

RIMPAC began in 1971 and was held annually until 1974, when it became a biennial exercise due to its scale. The founding nations were the United States, Australia, and Canada.

Further details regarding RIMPAC 2026, including specific dates and participating nations, will be released as planning progresses.

U.S. 3rd Fleet, an integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute our Navy’s role across the full spectrum of military operations—from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region.