Tag Archives: ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin (DDH-975)

RIMPAC Recap

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The biannual RIMPAC exercises are always a double-edged sword in the aspect that there is typically a SINKEX or three that sees the deep-sixing of a hard-serving veteran without ceremony in a funeral pyre of expended ordnance worthy of a Viking king.

This loss is balanced in a series of PASSEX and PHOTOEX events in which some of the best and most enduring photos of the warships of the day pass from current media assets to historical records. Remember, the best images we have of the ships of old typically came during Fleet Problems and exercises of the sort that RIMPAC emulates.

With that, we have a run-down of each.

First, the bad.

This year’s RIMPAC saw the decommissioned 17,000-ton Austin-class amphibious transport dock ex-USS Dubuque (LPD 8) and the 40,000-ton big deck ‘phib (surrogate Chinese aircraft carrier) ex-USS Tarawa (LHA 1) pummeled to the seabed between July 11 and July 19 in waters 15,000 feet deep, more than 50 nautical miles off the northern coast of Kauai.

The blows came from a mix of air assets including Hellfires from Army AH-64 Apache gunships of the Hawaii-based 25th Infantry Division; a Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) from a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet; 2,000-pound Quicksink bombs from a U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, a Harpoon from a Dutch frigate, Norwegian-made Naval Strike Missiles making their first live-fires from American (USS Fitzgerald) and Australian (HMAS Sydney) destroyers, and a series of 105mm howitzer and 30mm cannon hits from an Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider from the 27th SOW out of Canon AFB. 

And that is just what they disclosed.

The Army and Navy only released images of ordnance in flight, while dramatic footage of the Ghostrider working over Dubuque’s topside with its guns was made available.

HMAS Sydney fires Royal Australian Navy’s first Naval Strike Missile during a SINKEX off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii as a part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024. The Royal Australian Navy has accelerated Naval Strike Missile installation in Surface Combatants, culminating in the 18 Jul live firing demonstration off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise RIMPAC 2024. This aligns with Government Direction announced in the 2022 Defence Strategic Review and the 2024 National Defence Strategy. LSIS Daniel Goodman, RAN

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), while participating in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, fires the first naval strike missile from a U.S. destroyer on July 18. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings)

Royal Netherlands Navy De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate HNLMS Tromp (F803) fires an RGM-84 Harpoon missile during a long-planned live-fire sinking exercise as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024. (Royal Netherlands Navy photo by Cristian Schrik)

An AH-64 Apache helicopter attached 2nd Battalion, 6th Cavalry Squadron, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division shoots an AGM-114 Hellfire missile towards the decommissioned Austin-class amphibious transport dock USS Dubuque for a long-planned, live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) off the coast of Kauai during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 11. Each SINKEX is conducted in strict compliance with applicable U.S. environmental laws, regulations, and permit requirements to minimize potential environmental harm. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Perla Alfaro)

Of note, no footage or images of Tarawa have been released, likely as it was subjected to most of the new ordnance, and, since those lessons are costly to learn, you might as well keep it as close to the vest as possible.

Now the good

Without further, how about those beautiful ship images, including some rarely seen platforms (escorts from Brunei, Canada, Germany, Korea, Mexico, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Holland, and Italy along with Korean ‘phibs and a German oiler). Then you have old platforms with new weapons (Kidd and Gridley with AN/SEQ-4 ODIN lasers, Fitzgerald with NSMs, Carl Vinson with embarked F-35Cs of VFA-97).

Plus there are just some downright interesting old hulls such as the circa 1991 Chilean frigate Almirante Condell (FF-06) which is the former RN Type 23 frigate HMS Marlborough (F233); and the circa 1970 Mexican gator ARM Usumacinta (A412), the former Vietnam-era USS Frederick (LST-1184).

Then of course this is possibly the last hurrah of the venerable USS Princeton (CG 59) which is projected for inactivation as soon as next October.

Enjoy!

Republic of Korea Navy destroyer ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin (DDH 975) sails in formation on July 22, off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

German Navy replenishment ship FGS Frankfurt Am Main (A 1412) sails in formation off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 22. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Chilean Navy frigate CNS Almirante Condell (FF 06) sails in formation off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 22. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) sails in formation, off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 22. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HMNLMS Tromp (F 803) sails in formation, off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 July 22. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331) sails in formation, off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 22. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Royal Brunei Navy offshore patrol vessel KDB Darulaman (OPV 08) sails in formation off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 22. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Indian Navy frigate INS Shivalik (F 47) sails in formation off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 22. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Mexican Navy frigate ARM Benito Juarez (F 101) sails in formation, off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 22. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Royal Malaysian Navy frigate KD Lekiu (FFGH 30) sails in formation, off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 22.  (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Indonesian Navy frigate KRI R.E. Martadinata (331) sails in formation on July 22, off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Italian Navy offshore patrol vessel ITS Montecuccoli (P 432) sails in formation on July 22, off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Multinational ships sail in formation on July 22, off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Corban Lundborg)

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force amphibious transport dock ship JS Kunisaki (LST 4003), South Korean Navy destroyer ROKS Yulgok Yi I (DDG 992), and the Virginia-class submarine USS North Carolina (SSN 777) along with other multinational ships sail in formation off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 22. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class R. Ezekiel Duran)

Multinational ships sail in formation on July 22, off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Mexican Navy tank landing ship ARM Usumacinta (A 412) sails in formation, off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 22. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) led the formation of warships during RIMPAC 2024. She carries the “Air Wing Of The Future” including F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Block III Super Hornet, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, EA-18G Growler, and MH-60R/S Seahawk with cutting-edge new weapons such as the very long-range AIM-174B air-to-air missile. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier leads a group sail on July 22, off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Corban Lundborg)

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100) sails in formation off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 22, 2024. Note her ODIN laser forward. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) during RIMPAC 2024 Flight II Burke

USS Gridley (DDG 101), the 8th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer fitted with ODIN laser weapon systems.

SINKEX Harpoon edition

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The U.S. Navy’s press office released that, on 29 August off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2020, a live-fire SINKEX was conducted against a target hulk, the ex-USS Durham (LKA-114).

An 18,000-ton Charleston-class amphibious cargo ship commissioned on May 24, 1969, Durham was decommissioned on February 25, 1994, notably seeing service during Vietnam (four campaign stars, including the Frequent Wind evacuation in 1975) and the First Gulf War. The only Navy ship to carry the name of the North Carolina city, Durham was laid up in Pearl Harbor’s Middle Loch since 2000 and found ineligible for historic preservation in 2017.

The released video shows at least three missile hits as well as what could be some other surface weapons, with the Navy non-commital on just what ordinance was expended.

Meanwhile, the Royal Canadian Navy is reporting that the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Regina had the opportunity to shoot two of their RGM-84 Harpoons in RIMPAC, a rare event indeed.

Master Seaman Dan Bard, RCN

Master Seaman Dan Bard, RCN

At the same time, the Royal Australian Navy reports that the modified ANZAC (MEKO200) class frigate HMAS Stuart (FFH-153) expended one of her Harpoons on Durham.

RAN photo

RAN photo

“Simulation is a critical part of our training but there is nothing better than to conduct live-fire training,” said Royal Australian Navy Capt. Phillipa Hay, commander, RIMPAC 2020 Task Force One. “Sinking exercises are an important way to test our weapons and weapons systems in the most realistic way possible. It demonstrates as a joint force we are capable of high-end warfare.”

RIMPAC on parade

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A parade of modern naval architecture underway in the bright blue of the Pacific, showing off some 23 ships and submarines!

The great formation PHOTOEX captured on the below 5~ minute video shows off the multinational navy ships and a submarine navigate in formation during a group sail off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2020, August 21.

The video includes lots of close-ups of the individual ships:

0:09, 2:51 Republic Of Korea Navy guided-missile destroyer ROKS Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong (DDG 993)

0:14 Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Regina (FFH 334) in beautiful WWII camo

0:26 U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) 

0:32 Philippine Navy’s first guided-missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF 150)

0:37 RAN HMAS Stuart (FFH 153) 

0:54 Singapore Navy Formidable-class frigate RSS Supreme (FFG 73)

1:01 Royal New Zealand Navy salvage ship HMNZS Manawanui (A09)

1:07 Destroyer ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin (DDH-975)

1:12, 2:57  HMCS Winnipeg (FFH 338)

1:16 Royal Brunei Navy Darussalam-class offshore patrol vessel KDB Darulehsan (OPV 07)

1:22 Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Munro (WMSL 755)

1:25 RAN replenishment ship HMAS Sirius (O 266)

1:43 USS Jefferson City (SSN-759) (always nice to see an LA-class attack boat on the surface)

2:00, 2:14 Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force “helicopter destroyer” JS Ise (DDH 182)

2:29 RAN frigate HMAS Stuart (FFH 153)

Also seen, although not in the same detail, are the RAN frigate HMAS Arunta (FFH 151) and the guided-missile destroyer HMAS Hobart (DDG 39), the Japanese guided-missile destroyer JS Ashigara (DDG 178), French Navy Marine Nationale patrol ship FS Bougainville (A622), MSC fleet replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187), Essex’s escorts the guided-missile destroyers USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and USS Dewey (DDG 105) as well as the aging Tico-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70).

There is a great gallery of these vessels at the Pacific Fleet’s social media page.

From COMPACFLT:

“Like-minded nations come together in RIMPAC in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific where all nations enjoy unfettered access to the seas and airways in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) upon which all nations’ economies depend,” said Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Ten nations, 22 ships, 1 submarine, and more than 5,300 personnel are participating in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) from August 17 to 31 at sea in the waters surrounding Hawaii. RIMPAC is a biennial exercise designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships, critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The exercise is a unique training platform designed to enhance interoperability and strategic maritime partnerships. RIMPAC 2020 is the 27th exercise in the series that began in 1971.