The Royal Air Force has sent aircraft and personnel to participate in two major exercises in the Indo-Pacific region.
The first is RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) 2024 run by the United States from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The 2024 iteration began on June 27 and involves 29 nations, 40 surface ships and three submarines, and more than 150 aircraft. The exercise will run to August 1 with the aim of providing a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining co-operative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans.
RAF participation in RIMPAC 2024 comprises two Boeing Poseidon MRA1 maritime patrol aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth in the north of Scotland, with crews from 120 and 201 Squadrons. The detachment commander, Wg Cdr Jim Henderson, said: “The exercise is the latest step in the continued growth of the Poseidon Force and a reflection of how far we’ve come since we received our first aircraft four years ago.”
RIMPAC also involves Poseidons from the US Navy, Indian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, and Republic of Korea Air Force. The RAF crews are operating in a wide variety of operational scenarios during …
