U.S. Navy Lt. Thomas Hand, assigned Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), observes flight operations the in the Pacific Ocean, June 10, 2026, in preparation for RIMPAC 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. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Max Arellano)
U.S. Marines assigned to 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, load personnel and equipment onto landing craft, air cushion, attached to Assault Craft Unit 5, during an in-stream onload at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 8, 2026. The in-stream onload transported personnel and equipment to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) as part of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s embarkation process for RIMPAC 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...
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Marines and Sailors of Task Force (TF) Ashland returned to San Diego aboard Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), following a four-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region on May 27.
TF Ashland is composed of the Ashland crew and a command element from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU); a ground combat element from 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division; and a logistics combat element from Combat Logistics Regiment 17, I Marine Logistics Group. Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5 also deployed a detachment with two landing craft, air cushion to support amphibious operations. The task force departed San Diego aboard Ashland...
Marines and Sailors of Task Force (TF) Ashland returned to San Diego aboard Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), following a four-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region on May 27.
