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U.S. Army Lt. Col. Andy Howell, the commander of Task Force Hammerhead, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, speaks on his role during the Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026 in the Pacific Ocean, July 22, 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. Army video by Sgt. Olivia Cowart)
~Transcript~
00;00;00;00 - 00;00;07;22
I'm Lt. Col. Andy Howell and I am the Task Force Hammerhead commander here supporting Rim the Pacific in 2026.
00;00;07;26 - 00;00;18;19
So the mission of RIMPAC is to strengthen the bonds between, our partners and allies in the Pacific, to demonstrate capability and, work on interoperability between, all the countries.
00;00;18;19 - 00;00;40;17
being from the 25th cab, we're the Army's, maritime cab. So, Rim of the Pacific, creates, an opportunity that's unique every two years for us to really get involved with the maritime domain. So the 25th CAB this year, has embarked on the USS Essex, which is where we're at right now. And, we're conducting aviation operations in support of the joint force from the Essex
00;00;40;17 - 00;00;58;19
what the 25th CAB and Task Force Hammerhead is doing for the ground force commander. We're extending their operational reach, through the use of our CH-47 helicopters and their ability to carry enough gas to set up a forward arming and refueling point, as well as, shaping the battlefield with our AH-64s and their long range capability.
00;00;58;25 - 00;01;28;00
So the cab is being integrated, through a series of, separate, mini exercises within the exercises. So, we've already done, several missions, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, where we, partnered with the state of Hawaii and executed, you know, mock disasters and the evacuation of personnel. We were also, on the ship, right now, supporting amphibious landings and, logistical support for, the Marines are embarked here.
00;01;28;02 - 00;01;37;02
We're working for the 15th MEU while we're on board here. Who's, part of the, the bigger, Amphibious Readiness group. That's, embarked as well.
00;01;37;02 - 00;01;55;15
when conducting deck landings, the stakes are high. So you take, what is already dangerous aviation operations. Just like back at home. Station at Wheeler. Every time we put up an aircraft, it's a live fire event, and it's, it has inherent risk and dangers to it. We do our best to mitigate those risks down to the lowest level before we execute.
00;01;55;17 - 00;02;21;14
But when you take that airport and you put it out on the open ocean, it's now moving. So the USS Essex is a giant airport. And it's moving through, the Pacific. So when you're doing deck landings, or any operations from a ship, it takes, extra skill and expertise. So getting the reps in to become proficient, is an important, and extra, attention to detail as you're, working in close proximity to a lot of other aircraft on the same deck.
00;02;21;14 - 00;02;42;02
some challenges that have arisen, while we're operating out here on the Essex, it's, really the first time in recent history, at least, where a conventional Army aviation unit has, embarked, for any length of time on a, on a vessel. With that comes a lot of maintenance challenges. The, the salt water and the ocean is a very harsh environment.
00;02;42;04 - 00;03;03;21
And our aircraft sit on the deck and they're exposed to all those elements. So, increased maintenance intervals, getting ahead of the corrosion. It's going to, inevitably happen to our to our aircraft. Are some important things that are different. We're working on a ship. We also are working on a seabasing SOP so we can go do this in the future.
00;03;03;24 - 00;03;07;22
And when we're working with Marines, either in the Philippines or anywhere in the, in the Pacific.
00;03;07;22 - 00;03;28;20
25th ID you know, one of our biggest partners is, is in the Philippines. And we spend a significant amount of time there every year. Working with the, Philippine Army and Navy as well as the Marines, who are in charge of the the task force over there. So, our ability to integrate with the 15th MEU here, is going to pay dividends in the future as we're working in the Philippines.
00;03;28;23 - 00;03;44;27
So we can standardize the procedures, become familiar, talking to each other. Both. Mostly digitally, which has been a challenge. Getting our systems to talk to each other. But, that's what this exercise is all about, is the joint integration and, making sure that in the future, if we actually have to use these skills.
00;03;44;27 - 00;03;46;24
We have them.
00;03;47;00 - 00;04;03;19
So the opportunity to, to be the, the task force commander here, as we're doing RIMPAC It's it's really a once in a lifetime, you know, once in a career opportunity. And same for the soldiers that are part of the task force. They may never get the chance to do this again. And be on a Navy ship out to sea, conducting operations.
00;04;03;21 - 00;04;20;27
And, it's, it's been really great to see how excited, you know, the soldiers are to do this. How motivated they are. And, it really shakes up the routine, you know, of island life and, being in the jungle. It's it's a different kind of hardship on the ship. But it's one that everyone's enjoying, so far.
00;04;20;27 - 00;04;40;12
the US Navy and the Marines have been, very gracious hosts, and, they fully integrated us into their, into their battle rhythm, into their command relationships. And, we really feel like we're part of the team. So, the integration started, months ago, when we were in San Diego with USS Essex doing a, PDSS.
00;04;40;14 - 00;04;53;23
And then we had the opportunity to attend a, staffEX that the, the Marines were doing. So we can integrate our staffs and start working on how we were going to digitally communicate. So they fully embraced us and given us everything we need to be successful out here.
00;04;53;23 - 00;05;09;28
you know, the thing that I'm most proud of about the exercise is, just being a part of something. A lot bigger than our small unit. So, seeing the soldiers, start integrating and getting excited about being here with the Navy. None of them signed up for the army to go on a ship.
00;05;10;00 - 00;05;27;02
And, you know, some of them had a little, little hesitance to do this. But since being on the ship, they've, really enjoyed themselves. And, you know, I'm proud to be part of something bigger. We were just up on the deck after they, conducted the, photo exercise with all the ships in the task force.
00;05;27;05 - 00;05;34;12
Which was very impressive. And just knowing that task Force hammerhead, the 25th CAB is a small part of that, makes me proud.
00;05;34;17 - 00;06;02;24
So, I think that, you know, what we're doing out here is incredibly important, for the future, in PACOM specifically, but really around the globe. Times are uncertain, and, Modern Warfare and let's go is inherently joy. We don't have many opportunities to really integrate with the joint force. And this this exercise has provided, you know, the most integration I think the cab has had and probably since got, deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq.
00;06;02;26 - 00;06;11;26
You know, we're fully embracing it. We're learning the Navy and the marine doctrine. And, if we're ever called to do so, we'll be ready to get on the ship again. Somewhere else in the world.
| Date Taken: | 07.22.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.05.2026 17:38 |
| Category: | Interviews |
| Video ID: | 1016798 |
| VIRIN: | 260723-A-XD912-9585 |
| Filename: | DOD_111871532 |
| Length: | 00:06:11 |
| Location: | PACIFIC OCEAN |
| Downloads: | 1 |
| High-Res. Downloads: | 1 |
This work, RIMPAC 2026 Interview: U.S. Army Lt. Col. Andy Howell on Task Force Hammerhead Rim of the Pacific, by SGT Olivia Cowart, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
