U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (handling) 2nd Class Andrew Vanpelt and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (handling) 3rd Class Christopher Meraz, both assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), use hand signals to communicate with a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey, attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a distinguished visitor tour of Essex in the Pacific Ocean as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026, July 15, 2026. Thirty nations, 30 ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 190 aircraft and more than 30,000 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Zachary Warr)
| Date Taken: | 07.15.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 07.17.2026 15:36 |
| Photo ID: | 9815648 |
| VIRIN: | 260715-N-DR102-1959 |
| Resolution: | 3155x4732 |
| Size: | 2.38 MB |
| Location: | PACIFIC OCEAN |
| Web Views: | 4 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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