THE HON. JOEL FITZGIBBON MP
Minister for Defence
Thursday, 10 July 2008
081/2008
MINISTER FOR DEFENCE VISIT TO EXERCISE
RIMPAC 08
From 6-8 July 2008, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, visited the Australian
Defence Force (ADF) personnel participating in the 21st Exercise Rim of
the Pacific (RIMPAC) in the waters around Hawaii.
As part of his visit, the Minister met with Navy personnel aboard the
Collins Class submarine HMAS Waller, and the ANZAC class frigate
HMAS ANZAC.
Australian units participating in RIMPAC include HMA Ships ANZAC,
Success, Tobruk, and Waller; Australian Clearance Diving Team Four; and
two AP3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. Additionally, representatives from all
three Services are augmenting various headquarter staffs.
RIMPAC 08 is a combined and joint maritime exercise, comprised of forces
from Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Netherlands, Peru, Republic of Korea,
Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The exercise is intended to enhance the tactical proficiency of participating
units’ combined operations at sea as a basis to promote stability throughout
the Pacific.
Australia’s participation in RIMPAC enhances Australia’s interoperability
with the US and other participating forces and assists in advancing
Australia’s defence relationships with regional partners.
In Hawaii, the Minister met with the Commander of the US Pacific
Command, Admiral Timothy J. Keating and participated in round-table
discussions with the East West Centre, a US Government funded
cooperative education and research organisation focused on the Asia Pacific
Region. The Minister will travel on to Texas to visit the Joint Strike Fighter
facilities at Lockheed Martin.
Media note:
Media contacts:
Jack Smith (Joel Fitzgibbon):
02 6277 7800 or 0438 116 423
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
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