Subj : Amateur Radio Participates in World's Largest Naval Exercise

Subj : Amateur Radio Participates in World's Largest Naval Exercise
To : QST
From : ARRL de WD1CKS
Date : Wed Jul 24 2024 01:22 pm

07/21/2024

"Partners: Integrated and Prepared" is� the theme for Rim of the Pacific
(RIMPAC) 2024[1], the world's largest international military maritime exercise,
which began June 27, and� will come to a close on August 1. Conducted from
Joint Base Pearl Harbor - Hickam, Oahu, Hawaii, the exercise encompasses many
islands in the Hawaiian chain.

The event included 29 nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national
land forces, over 150 aircraft, and more than 25,000 personnel, including
amateur radio operators working with health care facilities.�

The amateur radio portion of the exercise has been completed. ARRL Assistant
Section Manager and State Government Liaison Michael Miller, KH6ML, said 36
amateur radio operators from Hawaii volunteered to demonstrate the value of
amateur radio in emergency preparedness and response.�

"It turned out very good," said Miller. "Some of hospitals, staff and
administrators involved had their first experience with amateur radio. The
operators were able to blend their skills using public service radios,
satellite phones, as well as amateur radio."�

Miller pointed out that hospitals on the smaller islands don't usually have a
fulltime communications officer so working with amateur radio gives them
experience for future emergencies. The amateurs worked with Health Comm
Hawaii[2] which provides amateur radio communications to health care
associations in Hawaii during emergencies and disasters.�

"Health Comm Hawaii really needs 100 more operators for backup and to build
skill sets through monthly exercises," Miller added.

Vice Adm. John Wade, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet and RIMPAC 2024 Combined Task
Force (CTF) commander, said the Rim of the Pacific exercise has grown over the
years to be the world's largest and premier joint combined maritime training
opportunity. "The exercise's purpose is to build relationships, to enhance
interoperability and proficiency and, ultimately, contribute to the peace and
stability in the vitally-important Indo-Pacific region."

Many of the volunteers participating in RIMPAC 2024 are also members of other
vital emergency communication groups, such as Amateur Radio Emergency
Service�(ARES�), Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES), and Community
Emergency Response Team (CERT).

[1] https://www.cpf.navy.mil/RIMPAC/
[2] https://ham.aditl.com/hc/

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