180628-N-ZZ513-2118 PEARL HARBOR (June 28, 2018) Adm. John C. Aquilino, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, and Vice Adm. John D. Alexander, commander of U.S. 3rd Fleet, answer questions about the 2018 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise during a press conference at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, June 28, 2018. 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 3rd Class Natalie M. Byers/Released)