LIHUE — Every two years, history repeats itself. Rim of the Pacific, the biennial international military war games, will return to Hawaiian waters, bringing with it fire from environmentalists who say the monthlong exercise negatively impacts marine life, including endangered
LIHUE — Every two years, history repeats itself.
Rim of the Pacific, the biennial international military war games, will return to Hawaiian waters, bringing with it fire from environmentalists who say the monthlong exercise negatively impacts marine life, including endangered species.
This summer, 23 countries, including China, are expected to participate — the 24th maritime exercise since it began in 1971.
The drills will last from June 26 to Aug. 1 and take place in the Hawaii Operating Area and several off-shore ranges, including Kauai’s Pacific Missile Range Facility.
“PMRF provides subsurface, surface and air training range capabilities for RIMPAC,” Stefan Alford, the base’s public affairs officer, wrote in an email. “Ships, submarines and aircraft train on an instrumented range free of encroachment limitations off the northwest shores of Kauai.”
About 500 PMRF employees are expected to be actively engaged in supporting this year’s RIMPAC. And the base, Alford said, has three C-26 aircraft and two Croman-contracted Sikorsky S-61N helicopters available to support as necessary.
Capt. Bruce Hay, commanding officer of PMRF, weighed in on the importance of the multinational exercise.
“RIMPAC participants exercising on our range have the opportunity to further enhance their capability and proficiency to respond to crises as part of a joint or combined effort,” he said in a statement. “Credible, ready maritime forces help to preserve peace and prevent conflict.”
Come late June, Kauai residents may even catch a glimpse of the action first-hand — both in the air and on the water.
“There will be an increase in aviation activity with helicopters and aircraft from Oahu transiting over PMRF water ranges,” Alford wrote. “Participating Navy vessels may be observed at the horizon approximately 20-25 nautical miles off shore.”
PMRF operations support services will also be provided for exercise activities conducted on and around other Hawaiian Islands, according to the base.
Hay said PMRF supports the drill by providing a unique training environment.
“Our range offers a complex and challenging environment for multinational forces to hone their skills and build true partnerships based on mutual understanding and respect,” he said. “Closer military-to-military bonds help facilitate clear lines of communication and foster a spirit of cooperation to meet regional and global challenges for mutual benefit.”
Local groups, however, don’t plan on keeping quiet during the exercise.
“A coalition of conservation, environmental and social justice groups have been meeting to create a community response to these navy war activities,” said Gordon LaBedz of the Surfrider Foundation Kauai Chapter. “We are planning sign-waving demonstrations, teach-ins, movies and other activities to educate the public and get people to pressure our federal representatives to stop funding war preparation and the war against our ocean.”
The bottom line, LaBedz said, is there hasn’t been a naval conflict involving the United States since World War II. He views RIMPAC as nothing more than a waste of time and taxpayer money, and as a threat to marine life.
“We’re going to try to bring up the level of education on this real horror to the ocean,” he said.
LaBedz’s concerns have to do with sonar blasting, explosions and pollution in the water during the exercises, and their ability to kill and harm whales, dolphins and other animals.
“Most people don’t even think about these things unless you shine some light on it,” he said.
But Hay said the Navy has established and approved procedures in place to minimize the potential impact on marine life.
“We take pride in our environmental stewardship responsibilities and ensure that’s a top priority for everyone conducting operations with PMRF,” he said. “Prior to any exercise, participants receive training on sighting marine mammals and required protective measures.”
Following up on last year’s efforts, Kauai Surfrider plans to continue its RIMPAC watch by asking the public for help monitoring environmental impacts during the event.
RIMPAC is organized by the Navy’s U.S. Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor. year’s exercise involved 22 nations, 40 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
