RIMPAC 2024: A Contested Exercise Amid Growing Protests

As the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) war games approach, scheduled to take place from June 27 to August 1, 2024, controversy and calls for cancellation are rising. This year, various groups, including Anakbayan Hawaiʻi, are vocalizing their opposition, urging the U.S. military to reconsider holding the event.

Anakbayan Hawaiʻi, an organization that advocates for national democracy in the Philippines, has joined a coalition protesting against RIMPAC. Misty Pegram, a representative from Anakbayan Hawaiʻi, emphasized the historical context of their protest. “The coalition that is currently being built is kind of a continuation of the decades of work that has already been done by Kānaka Maoli activists, folks who stand in solidarity against the military occupation in Hawaiʻi,” Pegram stated. This coalition reflects long-standing local opposition to military presence and activities in Hawaiʻi, highlighting concerns about sovereignty, environmental impact, and militarization.

The local campaign against RIMPAC is part of a broader international movement. Critics argue that the exercise, which is the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, is a demonstration of military might that contradicts the ideals of peace and stability. “The goal in this campaign to cancel RIMPAC. We see it as a manifestation of the U.S. militaries who want to know this idea of constantly being ready for war, and where their idea of a free and open Indo-Pacific is not aligned with what a free and open Indo-Pacific actually is,” Pegram added. This perspective challenges the narrative that RIMPAC promotes regional security and cooperation.

RIMPAC has been a staple of international military collaboration since its inception in 1971. Now in its 29th iteration, the exercise involves approximately 29 nations, 40 surface ships, 3 submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft, and more than 25,000 personnel. The U.S. Navy and its allies argue that RIMPAC is essential for maintaining maritime readiness and fostering multinational cooperation. The U.S. Pacific Fleet’s announcement of the 2024 exercise, following the final planning conference hosted by the U.S. 3rd Fleet at Naval Base Point Loma Annex in San Diego from March 25-28, underscores the extensive preparations and strategic importance attributed to the event.

Despite the military’s justifications, the opposition remains steadfast. Activists argue that the resources devoted to RIMPAC could be better spent on addressing pressing global issues such as climate change, poverty, and public health. They also raise environmental concerns, pointing to the potential damage caused by large-scale military exercises in fragile marine ecosystems.

As RIMPAC 2024 draws near, the clash between proponents of military preparedness and advocates for peace and environmental preservation intensifies. The ongoing protests and calls for cancellation reflect deep-seated tensions and differing visions for the future of the Indo-Pacific region. Whether these calls will lead to significant changes in how such exercises are conducted or perceived remains to be seen, but the growing opposition highlights the need for a broader dialogue on the role of military exercises in global security and their impact on local communities.

Valiant Shield 2024: Sinking Exercise Demonstrates Joint Military Proficiency

17 June 2024 – Valiant Shield (VS) 2024, a biennial multinational field training exercise, has successfully conducted a sinking exercise (SINKEX) involving the decommissioned Austin-class amphibious transport dock, ex-USS Cleveland (LPD-7). This event took place more than 40 nautical miles from land in the North Pacific Ocean, providing a significant training opportunity for the participating forces.

A SINKEX typically involves air, surface, and undersea military units conducting live-fire training against a physical target. These exercises are crucial for participants to gain proficiency and confidence in their weapons and systems, offering a level of realism that simulators cannot replicate.

To mitigate environmental impact, each SINKEX is carried out under strict compliance with U.S. environmental laws, regulations, and permit requirements. The decommissioned vessel undergoes an extensive cleaning process as per Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. This process includes the removal of all liquid polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from transformers, capacitors, and other components. Petroleum is meticulously cleaned from the vessel’s tanks, pipes, and reservoirs, and all trash, floatable materials, mercury or fluorocarbon-containing materials, and easily detachable solid PCB items are removed. The Navy also ensures compliance with documentation requirements to track components containing liquid PCBs and solid shipboard materials potentially containing PCBs.

Before any SINKEX is executed, the designated area is thoroughly surveyed to ensure the absence of people, marine vessels, aircraft, and marine species, adhering to the National Environmental Policy Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and a general permit under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act.

Valiant Shield 2024 is a comprehensive exercise designed to enhance the integration and interoperability of joint forces in a multi-domain environment. The exercise builds real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces by detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging units across sea, air, space, land, and cyberspace in response to various mission scenarios.

VS24 provides a vital platform for forces across the Indo-Pacific region, including the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, and partner nations, to train in delivering precise, lethal, and overwhelming multi-axis, multi-domain effects. These exercises underscore the strength and versatility of the Joint and Combined Force, demonstrating their capability to operate cohesively and effectively in complex operational environments.

By conducting exercises like Valiant Shield, the U.S. military and its allies ensure their readiness to address diverse challenges, reinforcing their commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The successful execution of the SINKEX with the ex-USS Cleveland showcases the effectiveness of these training exercises in enhancing military capabilities while adhering to stringent environmental safeguards.

Current Status of the Navy’s 11 Aircraft Carriers: Deployment, Maintenance, and Readiness

As of June 19, 2024, the U.S. Navy’s 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers are in various stages of deployment, maintenance, and preparation. These carriers, integral to the Navy’s power projection and operational readiness, have a lifespan of about 50 years, with a major midlife overhaul known as Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) occurring halfway through their service. Here’s an update on the current status of each carrier:

Deployed Carriers

1. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)

• Location: Red Sea
• Details: Based in Norfolk, Virginia, the Eisenhower has been deployed in the Red Sea since October 14, 2023. It has been extended twice due to ongoing conflicts with Houthi rebels. The Navy is currently evaluating options to replace its combat capabilities if it returns home.

1. USS George Washington (CVN-73)

• Location: Off the coast of Chile
• Details: Sailing from Norfolk to San Diego, the George Washington will eventually deploy to Japan, replacing the USS Ronald Reagan.

1. USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)

• Location: South China Sea
• Details: Based in San Diego, the Roosevelt has been deployed in the Indo-Pacific Command since January 2024.

1. USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)

• Location: Philippine Sea
• Details: Previously deployed in Japan, the Reagan is on patrol in the Philippine Sea and will be heading to San Diego.

Preparing to Deploy

1. USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)

• Location: Off the coast of Norfolk
• Details: The Truman is halfway through its pre-deployment workups with the strike group and is expected to deploy in October or November 2024.

1. USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)

• Location: Port in San Diego
• Details: Currently in pre-deployment workups, the Vinson will participate in the multinational Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in July and will deploy to the Pacific Command later in the year.

1. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)

• Location: San Diego
• Details: Having completed its final composite unit training exercises, the Lincoln is scheduled to deploy to the Pacific Command in July 2024.

Undergoing Repairs

1. USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77)

• Location: Maintenance since December 2023

1. USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)

• Location: Maintenance phase post-deployment, expected to last about a year

1. USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)

• Location: Undergoing RCOH since May 2021, expected to complete in 2025
• Details: The RCOH involves significant upgrades to the ship’s electronics, combat systems, and propulsion systems.

1. USS Nimitz (CVN-68)

• Location: Maintenance since October 2023, with workups planned for later this year

Not in Service

1. PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN-79)

• Details: The Kennedy is scheduled for delivery to the Navy next year.

Strategic Considerations

The status of the Navy’s aircraft carriers is a critical component of U.S. naval strategy, ensuring that the fleet remains prepared to meet global challenges. The ongoing deployment and maintenance cycles reflect the Navy’s commitment to maintaining a ready and capable force, while also addressing the need for modernization and repair. The extended deployment of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea highlights the dynamic nature of global security demands and the Navy’s role in responding to them.

The Navy continues to balance the operational demands with the necessary maintenance and training cycles, ensuring that its fleet remains a formidable force. As these carriers move through their respective cycles, their deployment will support a range of missions, from deterrence and presence operations to direct combat and humanitarian assistance.