The naval might of 22 nations lies moored around the Hawaiian Islands. More than 40 naval vessels and 200 aircraft manned by over 25, 000 personnel are gathered for RIMPAC, the biannual Rim of the Pacific maritime exercise. The vast armada of ships, submarines, and aircraft, participating in the largest international maritime exercise ever, will continue until August 1.
The 2014 RIMPAC marks the first participation of hospital ships in the history of the exercise. On July 1-2, Commander, U.S. Third Fleet (CF3) hosted the inaugural RIMPAC Military Medicine Symposium aboard the USS Peleliu (LHA-5). Moored at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, the symposium attracted more than 120 international medical officials on the first day. Representing 12 nations including Australia, Brunei, Canada, China, Columbia, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, and South Korea, medical officials and service members were able to network with other partner nations in the military medical community.
Canadian Army Lt. Col. Nicholas Withers, Combined Force Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC) surgeon and organizer of the symposium shared that the goal of the RIMPAC Military Medical Symposium is for countries to become familiar with other nations’ method of operations. Should a major event happen, medical officers will know how others countries operate so they can engage with those nations and provide assistance. Another goal is for nations to share their newest medical practices.
On July 3, a hospital ship in Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA(N)) hosted a medical exchange conference as part of the symposium. Aboard the hospital ship, Peace Ark (T-AH 886), PLA(N) and U.S. Navy medical officers gave presentations about topics ranging from damage-control surgery to tele-critical care. The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) will also host international guests. While at Pearl Harbor, both ships will hold expert exchanges and will later take part in simulated disaster relief operations at sea.
