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War games on a global scale

RIMPAC 96 brings in new countries

June 15, 1996
Web posted at: 12:40 a.m. EDT

OFF THE COAST OF HAWAII (CNN) -- Six Pacific Rim nations -- Australia, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United States, and for the first time, Chile -- are in the midst of a huge, but friendly, war. (1.2MB QuickTime movie)

RIMPAC, a multi-country joint exercise, this year brings together more than 200 aircraft, 48 ships, and 30,000 airmen, sailors, Marines, soldiers, and Coast Guardsmen, who have been conducting drills since May 22.

Rear Adm. Christopher Oxenbould of the Royal Australian Navy said he believes that armies from different countries are most likely to band together in future wars.


Image of Participants SmilingImage of a Jet

And members of the armed forces participating in the "mock war," which this year pits the United States-Japan team against everyone else, say the exercises give them good practice in coalition warfare.

Lasers simulate firing in some instances; in other scenarios, live firing exercises are conducted. "It's as real as they can make it," said U.S. Navy pilot Lt. Patrick Donnelly, whose crew worked with a seldom-used diesel submarine.


Image of Masked Canadian ParticipantImage of a Helicopter

Japanese and U.S. naval forces operating in the exercises temporarily suspended live firing events after a Japanese destroyer shot down an American A-6E Intruder on June 3. The two U.S. airmen ejected safely, but no one will comment on the incident until an investigation is complete.

Still, RIMPAC admirals say the findings will contribute to their primary goal, which is to perfect communication. RIMPAC 96 ends June 21.

Correspondent Jennifer Auther contributed to this report.

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