Royal New Zealand Navy sailors set to test themselves on the world stage in Hawaii

Held every two years, Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) is being conducted around the Hawaiian Islands over July and August and brings together 31 nations, around 40 surface ships, five submarines, more than 140 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel.

The exercise will cover a broad range of military activities, including amphibious operations, gunnery and missile proficiency, anti-submarine warfare, air defence exercises, military medicine, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, counter-piracy, mine clearance, explosive ordnance disposal, and diving and salvage operations.

The New Zealand Defence Force’s Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Shane Arndell, Navy personnel and close friends and family of the ships’ companies were on hand to farewell the ships as they let go their lines and moved into the Waitematā Harbour to start the 3,800 nautical mile voyage to Hawaii.

Participating at RIMPAC is a demonstration of New Zealand's commitment to working alongside international partners to promote security and stability across the Indo-Pacific region, says Commodore Arndell.

"This year will mark the 17^th RIMPAC that the NZDF has participated in,” he said.

“The reason we continue to participate is because it provides a valuable opportunity to work seamlessly with international partners to improve interoperability and enhance the operational readiness of our people and platforms, to ensure we can support the maintenance of a free and open Pacific."

Commanding Officer of HMNZS Te Mana, Commander Tuijo Thompson, says the ship's company has worked hard to prepare for the demanding exercise following a lengthy maintenance period.

"For the past three months we have been undertaking operational evaluation, sea training and an intense work-up programme for both the ship systems and sailors’ core mariner skills," Commander Thompson said.

"Exercises of this scale allow us to challenge ourselves in realistic scenarios and demonstrate the professionalism and capability of our sailors, and I am very confident we will not be found wanting.”

This will be HMNZS Aotearoa’s third consecutive RIMPAC exercise. Commanding Officer, Commander Rob Welford, says this is testament to the vital role played by the ship.

“Along with participating in a range of maritime warfare and interoperability activities, we will be providing essential replenishment and support that showcases New Zealand's valuable contribution to coalition maritime operations,” Commander Welford said.

While the exercise offers strategic benefits for participating nations, for many sailors it is also the culmination of months of preparation.

On HMNZS Te Mana, 22-year-old Able Electronic Technician Serenity Olive is embarking on her first overseas deployment, and is both excited and nervous.

"But this is exactly why I joined the Navy,” she said.

“To travel, to challenge myself and be part of a great team – and RIMPAC offers all of that.”

"My oppos (shipmates) and I just can’t wait to get this show on the road!"