MINISTER VISITS RIMPAC IN HAWAII

I have just completed a brief visit to Hawaii where I met senior US Pacific Command military officers, and members of the Royal Australian Navy who are participating in a major combined annual exercise.

Australia and the United States share strategic interests in the Pacific region, and a significant portion of Australia’s operational level interaction with the United States occurs through Pacific Command.  

I met Admiral Fallon, Commander Pacific Command, and other senior Navy, Army, Air Force and Marine officers to emphasise the value Australia places on its strong level of cooperation with the US in the Pacific.

This cooperation includes a comprehensive program of combined exercises. Exercise RIMPAC 06, a biennial maritime exercise involving Australian, US and other regional defence forces is about to begin.

While in Hawaii, I visited the ANZAC class frigate, HMAS STUART whose crew is preparing to participate in EX RIMPAC. I wished them a safe and successful Exercise, and thanked them for their ongoing hard work.

Media note:

Images of Dr Nelson meeting RAN personnel on board HMAS STUART in Hawaii are available at: http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/

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