180628-N-FV745-1040 PEARL HARBOR (June 28, 2018) Vice Adm. John Alexander, commander of U.S. Third Fleet, along with other international leaders, delivers remarks at a press conference for the 2018 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, June 28, 2018 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Twenty-five nations, more than 45 ships and submarines, about 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 27 to Aug. 2 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. 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 of the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2018 is the 26th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel James Lanari/Released)