PACIFIC OCEAN (July 29, 2022) Airman Sean Manzer signals to an AH-1Z Viper, attached to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169, on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) in support of an amphibious operations exercise during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 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 while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brett McMinoway)