040710-N-6551H-092 Pacific Ocean (July 10, 2004) - The High Speed Vessel (HSV) 2 Swift prepares to conduct a replenishment at sea (RAS) with the mine warfare ship USS Avenger (MCM 1) during exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2004. Swift is a wave-piercing aluminum-hulled catamaran that can move at speeds greater than 45 knots. With a draft allowing it to navigate in only 12 feet of water it can easily maneuver in and out of littoral environments. RIMPAC is the largest international maritime exercise in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands. This year’s exercise includes seven participating nations; Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom and United States. RIMPAC is intended to enhance the tactical proficiency of participating units in a wide array of combined operations at sea, while enhancing stability in the Pacific Rim region. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Michelle R. Hammond (RELEASED) For more information go to: http://www.cpf.navy.mil/RIMPAC2004/
040707-N-1512S-131 Arabian Gulf (July 7, 2004) – The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) transfers personnel and equipment ashore, during Landing Cushion Air Craft (LCAC) operations off the coast of Kuwait. Kearsarge is surge deployed to transport elements of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Central Command Area of Responsibility in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and the Global War on Terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Airman Kenny Swartout (RELEASED)
040710-N-6213R-002 Pacific Ocean (July 10, 2004) - USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) launches the first of two RIM-7 Nato Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles during a training exercise in the Hawaiian operating area. During the exercise, the missile intercepted a remote controlled test drone. Stennis and ships from the South Korean Navy participated in the missile firing exercise conducted to test the ships defensive capability. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) are taking part in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2004, during her scheduled deployment supporting the Navy's new fleet response plan (FRP) Summer Pulse 2004. RIMPAC is the largest international maritime exercise in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands. This year’s exercise includes seven participating nations; Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom and United States. RIMPAC is intended to enhance the tactical proficiency of participating units in a wide array of combined operations at sea, while enhancing stability in the Pacific Rim region. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Mark J. Rebilas (RELEASED) For more information go to: http://www.cpf.navy.mil/RIMPAC2004/
