Posted: 07/01/2004
U.S. Marines assigned to 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment disembark Amphibious Assault Vehicles during a mechanized raid in support of exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2004, Marine Corps Base, Hawaii, July 18, 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, the United Kingdom and the 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 Jane West)