PLAN invited to participate in RIMPAC for first the time (2014)

Japanese used to send much more to the RIMPAC in the past. Now, that it really became u multinational exercise not in the name but in the reality in the last two ones number of Japanese ships got significantly smaller. Just compare those two to 10 ships and 8 aircraft just 20 years ago. Plus they usually stay few weeks longer after the RIMPAC to conduct their own drills with the US Navy.

A detail about Chinese warships way to Hawaii - Chinese, Brunei and Singapore Navy ships will get concentrated in the waters off Guam where the USS Shiloh will be waiting for them and they'll depart together for Hawaii. I heard something about an open day aboard Chinese ships but I'm not 100% certain about that info. Also 'Peace Ark' is going to participate in exchange and other activities together with USNS Mercy.

The Chinese have set off to join the exercise. These are the high-resolution versions of some of the photos posted earlier.

Well done news report by CCTV..

[video=youtube;eofk9qHU4DU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eofk9qHU4DU[/video]

The hospital ships 866 looks very good

I hope they are carrying upwards of 3 or 4 helos

Janiz said:

Japanese used to send much more to the RIMPAC in the past. Now, that it really became u multinational exercise not in the name but in the reality in the last two ones number of Japanese ships got significantly smaller. Just compare those two to 10 ships and 8 aircraft just 20 years ago. Plus they usually stay few weeks longer after the RIMPAC to conduct their own drills with the US Navy.

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Very true.^^^ Another reason is the JMSDF conducts regular training with the USN near Jaapn on a regular basis.

asif iqbal said:

The hospital ships 866 looks very good

I hope they are carrying upwards of 3 or 4 helos

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Do you mean the entire task force or just the Peace Ark?

USN hospital ships, USNS Mercy & USNS Comfort, support only two helos depending on the ships mission. The hangar on these class ships is temporary.

In this photo below you can clearly see the temporary helo hangar on the upper right.

SUBIC BAY, Philippines (July 2, 2012) Multi-national service, partner nation, and non-governmental organization members man the rails aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) as the ship pulls into Subic Bay, Philippines as part of Pacific Partnership 2012 (PP12). The Philippines is the 2nd of four host nations Mercy will be visiting during PP12. Now in its seventh year, Pacific Partnership is a U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance mission U.S. military, host and partner nations, non-governmental organizations and international organizations designed to build stronger relationships and disaster response capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class MC3 Clay M. Whaley/Released)

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asif iqbal said:

The hospital ships 866 looks very good

I hope they are carrying upwards of 3 or 4 helos

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Does PLAN have 3 or 4 naval helicopters to spare?

No question about it I meant 3-4 helos with the whole task force not just the 866

I was more thinking along of the lines of cross decking with other navy's

I'd love to see a J-15s do a visit to Pearl Harbor. Perhaps even a few formation flights alongside Super Hornets.

asif iqbal said:

No question about it I meant 3-4 helos with the whole task force not just the 866

I was more thinking along of the lines of cross decking with other navy's

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Thanks for that clarification. I would also hope that the PLAN has 3-4 helos ready to operate during RIMPAC.

As the RIMPAC exercise unfolds I will post any PLAN or joint operation photos in this thread. Maybe be a week or so before you see any photos..I know the USN will have some high-res photos!

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June 11, Enroute to Hawaii to participate in "Pacific Rim -2014" exercise. PLAN hospital ship Peace Ark conducts abandon ship training. The crew evacuates into lifeboats. Ju Zhenhua photo　

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