USS Essex, VMM-164 conducts flight ops in Pacific Ocean

A U.S. Marine aircrewman, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164 (Reinforced), fires a GAU-21 machine gun from a UH-1Y Venom, June 15, 2026. Thirty-one nations, 36 surface ships, 5 submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 206 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 24 to July 31. 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 2026 is the 30th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Russell Rhodes Jr.)