160718-N-HM829-022 KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (July 18, 2016)

160718-N-HM829-022 KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (July 18, 2016) Capt. Chris Merwin, commander, Combined Task Force 171, (far left) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1 Command Master Chief Pete Beville (far right), conduct a ground breaking ceremony with Sailors assigned to Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303, for an improved road surface at the Pu’uloa rifle range on Marine Corps Base Hawaii 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 2nd Class K. Cecelia Engrums/Released)