US Amphibious Assault Ships to be Tested Under Attack During RIMPAC 2024

Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow

The planning and preparations for the 29th biennial Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) has begun fully. This is an extensive multinational military exercise that is scheduled to commence on June 27 and conclude on August 2 around the Hawaii Island. RIMPAC 2024 will be hosted by the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and led by Vice Adm. John Wade, Commander of the U.S. 3rd Fleet.

Vice Adm. Wade, who recently assumed command, emphasized the collaborative spirit of the exercise. “The subject matter expertise and wide-ranging insights that our partner nations, non-military organizations, sister services, and 3rd Fleet staff bring to planning is the reason RIMPAC is the premier joint and combined maritime exercise in the world,” said Wade.

RIMPAC 2024 will feature a diverse array of naval assets and personnel. The participating nations are contributing 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, and over 150 aircraft, including advanced platforms like the F-35 Lightning II, P-8 Poseidon, and V-22 Osprey. These assets will operate out of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay, facilitating a wide range of multi-domain warfare scenarios.

One of the most anticipated aspects of RIMPAC 2024 is the emphasis on amphibious operations and the capabilities of flattop amphibious assault ships. These ships, designed to launch and support amphibious assaults, will be subjected to intense scrutiny and simulated combat scenarios. The exercise aims to test their resilience and operational readiness in the face of advanced threats.

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Flattop amphibious assault ships, such as the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) used by the U.S. Navy, are designed to deploy Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs) and their equipment. They boast a flight deck capable of launching helicopters and vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) aircraft, making them versatile assets in both combat and humanitarian missions. During RIMPAC, these ships will likely be subjected to simulated missile strikes, anti-submarine warfare scenarios, and multi-axis attacks to assess their defensive capabilities and the effectiveness of their onboard systems.