160718-N-DA693-106 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 18, 2016) An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Black Aces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 and an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Warhawks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97 launch from USS John C. Stennis' (CVN 74) flight deck during Rim of the Pacific 2016. Twenty-six nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 30 to Aug. 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jake Greenberg / Released)