180717-N-VR594-1231 AT SEA (July 17, 2018) Marines assigned to Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, connect assault amphibious vehicles (AAV) for towing as part of AAV operation training during the 2018 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, July 17, 2018. Twenty-five nations, 46 ships, five submarines, and 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 Kelsey J. Hockenberger/Released)