USS Essex Participates in RIMPAC 2022

PACIFIC OCEAN (August 2, 2022) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Thomas McLaughlin, from Andover, Minnesota, signals to an AH-1Z Viper, attached to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169, on the flight deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, Aug. 2. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Donita Burks)