PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 19, 2020) Operations Specialist Seaman Matthew Dixon, from Grand Rapids, Mich., stands watch in the pilot house aboard U.S. Navy Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) while participating in a surface exercise (SURFEX) during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2020. Ten nations, 22 ships, one submarine, and more than 5,300 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from Aug. 17 to 31 at sea around the Hawaiian Islands. RIMPAC is a biennial exercise designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships, critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The exercise is a unique training platform designed to enhance interoperability and strategic maritime partnerships. RIMPAC 2020 is the 27th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Wesley Richardson)