From June to July 2026, I had the opportunity to participate in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 for five weeks as the Deputy Director of Current Operations within the Commander Combined Task Force (CCTF) group. This role provided a unique perspective on the world's largest multinational maritime exercise and offered valuable experience working alongside allied and partner nations in both planning and execution of complex operations.

Learning alongside partner nations

During the harbour phase in Hawaii, while participating ships remained in port, I attended a number of professional development and exercise preparation activities. These included attending a legal symposium that examined emerging trends in international maritime law, participating in information warfare sessions and supporting the humanitarian assistance and disaster response portion of the exercise. These activities highlighted the broad spectrum of missions modern naval forces must be prepared to conduct beyond traditional warfare.

RIMPAC brought together naval personnel and cultural traditions from participating nations.
RIMPAC brought together naval personnel and cultural traditions from participating nations.

Coordinating a combined force

A key aspect of my role was understanding and supporting the relationship between the Combined Task Force Commander (CCTF), the Combined Force Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC), and the air and special operations commands. The CCTF provides overall operational direction for the exercise, while the CFMCC coordinates maritime operations and assigns tasks to naval forces. Air and special operations components operate within the commander's intent, integrating their capabilities to achieve common objectives across the battlespace. Effective coordination between these commands was essential to ensure a synchronized multinational response to the scenarios presented throughout the exercise.

From harbour to sea

The sea phase marked the transition to operational training, with approximately 30 vessels deploying at sea. Participating nations included Canada, the United States, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, and several other partner nations. Canada's contribution included HMCS Ottawa, HMCS Regina, HMCS Cornerbrook, and MV Asterix, which played important roles in demonstrating Canadian maritime capability including the final shot that sank a former US naval ship.

A naval helicopter on the flight deck during the exercise.
A naval helicopter on the flight deck during the exercise.

The at-sea portion of RIMPAC was conducted through a realistic fictional scenario involving conventional military threats, natural disasters, and an unconventional paramilitary or terrorist organization attempting to destabilize the region through a coup. Maritime, air, amphibious, and special operations forces worked together to train in a dynamic environment that required continuous coordination and adaptation.

The watch never stops

Within the CCTF headquarters, a 24-hour watch floor monitored and coordinated both exercise events and real-world requirements. In addition to managing the exercise scenario, the watch team responded to several actual emergencies involving participating vessels and civilian vessels, demonstrating the importance of maintaining operational awareness and readiness while conducting large-scale multinational operations. The experience provided invaluable insight into coalition command and control, multinational interoperability, and the challenges associated with coordinating complex maritime operations on a global scale.

Preparing for a helicopter flight during RIMPAC.
Preparing for a helicopter flight during RIMPAC.
Multinational participants gather beside a naval helicopter.
Multinational participants gather beside a naval helicopter.