Posted: 07/01/2012
SAN DIEGO (July 13, 2012) KOA, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, is coaxed onto a transport mat during a Rim of the Pacific 2012 exercise. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from Jun.29 to Aug. 3. 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. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shannon E. Renfroe)