U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Tom McNurlin from the Air National

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Tom McNurlin from the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Test Center in Tucson, Ariz., helps U.S. Air Force Col. John Breazeale, 917th Fighter Group commander, adjust his helmet with the Scorpion helmet-mounted system prior to a flight during Rim of the Pacific exercise, July 17, 2012. The Scorpion system, along with the Lightweight Airborne Recovery System, known as LARS, was operationally tested for the first time during the exercise. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating 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. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mary Hinson)