RIMPAC 2026 Commanders Conference concludes in Australia

20 March 2026

From Commander, U.S. Third Fleet

SYDNEY — Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet concluded the Commanders Conference for Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026, March 20, 2026, marking a key milestone in planning for the world’s largest international maritime exercise.

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Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 senior leadership and staff pose for a group photo at the RIMPAC 2026 Commander’s Conference in Sydney, Mar. 17, 2026. An integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy's role across the full spectrum of military operations. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation and overflight, the rule of law and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sarah Eaton)

Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet concluded the Commanders Conference for Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026, March 20, 2026, marking a key milestone in planning for the world’s largest international maritime exercise.

Senior leaders and planners, representing more than 30 allied and partner nations, gathered for the five-day conference to review major elements of the upcoming exercise and build on progress achieved during the Mid-Planning Conference held in December. The in-person engagement enabled participants to strengthen professional relationships and advance coordination ahead of integrated operations during RIMPAC 2026.

U.S. Navy Capt. Brian Jamison, RIMPAC 2026 exercise director, delivered opening remarks on the first day of the conference, formally commencing the event.

“This is a very important planning milestone for execution later this summer,” said Jamison. “This is our opportunity to come together in person, to work on some of the key deliverables, and get into the teamwork that it’s going to take to make this very successful.”

U.S. Navy Vice Adm. John Wade, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, welcomed attendees and emphasized the importance of multinational cooperation and shared commitment among participating nations.

“I want to make sure that everyone from the most senior to the most junior is thanked for your hard work that allowed us to come to beautiful Sydney, Australia, to align and synchronize with each other,” said Wade. “This exercise is an opportunity for the young men and women who have volunteered to serve to get better, to get stronger, to become more proficient and capable.”

Royal Australian Navy Cmdre. Luke Ryan gives remarks during the Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Commander’s Conference in Sydney, Mar. 15, 2026. An integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy's role across the full spectrum of military operations. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation and overflight, the rule of law and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sarah Eaton)

Capt. Brian Jamison, Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise director, gives remarks during the RIMPAC 2026 Commander’s Conference in Sydney, Mar. 15, 2026.nAn integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy's role across the full spectrum of military operations. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation and overflight, the rule of law and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sarah Eaton)

Royal Australian Navy Lt. Cmdr. Benn Van Balen, Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) lead coordinator, gives remarks during the RIMPAC 2026 Commander’s Conference in Sydney, Mar. 15, 2026. An integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy's role across the full spectrum of military operations. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation and overflight, the rule of law and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sarah Eaton)

Royal Australian Navy Vice Adm. Justin Jones, chief of Joint Operations Australian Defence Force, gives remarks during the RIMPAC 2026 Commander’s Conference in Sydney, Mar. 17, 2026. An integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy's role across the full spectrum of military operations. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation and overflight, the rule of law and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sarah Eaton)

Vice Adm. John Wade, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, gives remarks during the RIMPAC 2026 Commander’s Conference in Sydney, Mar. 17, 2026. An integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy's role across the full spectrum of military operations. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation and overflight, the rule of law and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sarah Eaton)

Royal Australian Navy Lt. Cmdr. Benn Van Balen, Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) lead coordinator, gives closing remarks during the RIMPAC 2026 Commander’s Conference in Sydney, Mar. 20, 2026. An integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy's role across the full spectrum of military operations. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation and overflight, the rule of law and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sarah Eaton)

Wade also underscored the conference’s role in ensuring RIMPAC builds successful international maritime partnerships built on trust and cooperation.

“This conference allows us to purposefully and methodically go through the plan and make sure that we’ve done our homework to ensure that we do this safely and professionally, obtain objectives strategically, operationally, and tactically, not only collectively as a team, but each of our nations and our services,” added Wade.

RIMPAC 2026 will mark the 30th iteration of the biennial exercise and will coincide with the United States’ 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The exercise is designed to bring allied and partner nations together to enhance interoperability, strengthen collective maritime security and reinforce enduring cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.

First conducted in 1971, RIMPAC was initially held annually before transitioning to a biennial schedule in 1974, due to its growing scale and scope. The founding participants were the United States, Australia and Canada.