U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, load an AGM-179 joint air-to-ground missile into a U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper helicopter attached to VMM-164 (Rein.), 15th MEU, during a defense of the amphibious task force live-fire exercise aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) in the Pacific Ocean, June 14, 2026, ahead of Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026. Thirty-one nations, more than 30 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 Lance Cpl. Jashua Hernandez Ramos)
| Date Taken: | 06.14.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 06.24.2026 15:38 |
| Photo ID: | 9769457 |
| VIRIN: | 260614-M-BX561-1042 |
| Resolution: | 7657x5105 |
| Size: | 3.84 MB |
| Location: | PACIFIC OCEAN |
| Web Views: | 4 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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