BRP Rizal off to 1st mission: Rimpac 2020

MANILA, Philippines — The Rim of the Pacific (Rimpac) exercise’s primary focus this year is maximum training at minimum risk of exposure to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) of the participating navies.

All drills for Rimpac 2020 in Hawaii will be conducted at sea by participants from the Philippines, Australia, Brunei, Canada, France, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States.

The Philippine Navy deployed for Rimpac 2020 a 125-man contingent on its newest vessel, BRP Jose Rizal, embarked with a utility AgustaWestland AW-159 helicopter. Navy chief Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo said Rimpac was BRP Jose Rizal’s maiden mission and was basically a shakedown cruise for the missile-capable frigate.

Safe exercise

According to US Pacific fleet commander Adm. John Aquilino, “the at-sea-only construct for Rimpac 2020 is an innovative solution to hold the exercise while ensuring the safety of all military forces participating by minimizing shore-based contingents.”

He said “this modified plan allows us to conduct a meaningful exercise with maximum training value and minimum risk to the force, allies and partners, and the people of Hawaii.”

“Although not all nations invited were able to participate due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic that began in the region, I am confident that all Rimpac participants are committed to applying lessons learned from this year’s exercise and work with all like-minded nations throughout the year,” he said.