Soldiers from the New Zealand Army, alongside Marines

Soldiers from the New Zealand Army, alongside Marines from 1st Battalion 3rd Marine Regiment and soldiers from the Republic of South Korea, entered the Kahuku Training Area (on the Northern side of Oahu) by CH-53 Super Stallion helicopters. This was a part of a mission to clear a simulated IED Manufacturing location. After patrolling into the location, Alpha company took hold and cleared the area. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the biennial RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. 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 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. New Zealand Defence Force Photo by: LAC Amanda McErlich, Photographer, Defence Communications Group/RELEASED