MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII—Inside a volcanic crater and at an urban warfare complex originally built for Iraq deployments, Marines from numerous nations trained alongside U.S. forces over the weekend, honing marksmanship, room-clearing, and tactical proficiencies essential for future combat operations.
The live-fire exercises formed part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise. This year’s iteration assembled 30 nations under the theme “Partners: Integrated and Prepared.”
“This sets the foundation for how we operate globally today and how we would fight—we don’t fight alone,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Valerie Jackson, speaking to Defense One as Mexican and South Korean Marines conducted drills nearby. “It’s about alliances and partnerships. When crisis erupts, you don’t want the first time working with a partner to be against a determined adversary. You need confidence that the Marines to your left and right share the same competency and operational understanding.”
The U.S. Marines participating belong to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, the ground combat element of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Training spans jungle survival, complex urban environments, and the full inventory of infantry weapons over a week-long period, according to Lt. Col. Colin Elsasser, commander of 2/7.
Col. Robb McDonald, commanding officer of the 15th MEU, reported smooth integration thus far, emphasizing reciprocal learning among all participating forces.
“We view this as an opportunity to integrate and learn from each other,” McDonald said. “RIMPAC showcases the interoperability we’re able to achieve.”