HMNZS Te Kaha
other nations to reduce conflict and improve stability in the Pacific and around the world." RIMPAC 2012 will involve 22 countries, a total of 25,000 personnel, 42 ships, six submarines, and over 200 aircraft. Other nations include; the US, Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Peru, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, India, Mexico, Norway, Philippines, Russia and Tonga. "As the largest maritime exercise in the world, RIMPAC
offers our people a unique training opportunity – for our Navy to exercise weapons and sensors, for an Army infantry platoon to embed in a US Marine Corps company and conduct amphibious taskings, and for an Air Force P3K crew to conduct air taskings in a complex multi-national environment," adds MajGen Gawn. "Developing our amphibious capability is a key focus for the Defence Force as we work towards establishing a Joint Amphibious Task Force, where units from all three Services operate as one force." RIMPAC 2012 is hosted by the United States. New Zealand's defence relationship with the US continues to develop. A number of US Marines recently took part in Exercise Alam Halfa in New Zealand.
The Defence Force has cooperated with the US in a number of areas over recent years, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the Pacific and support for respective Antarctic national programmes, as well as working together in the NATO/ISAF coalition in Afghanistan.
BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS Women's Royal New Zealand Naval Service Exhibition
1 June – 31 August 2012
In 1942, a women's service was introduced to the Royal New Zealand Navy. Seventy years later some of these women return, this time to the Navy Museum, to design and produce an exhibition about the Women's Royal New Zealand Naval Service and the bravery, leadership and laughter that brought it to life.
Come to the Navy Museum and share in the stories of the young women who not only broke down the barriers in the Navy but in New Zealand society as well. An exhibition not to be missed. Free admission
64 King Edward Parade, Devonport www.navymuseum.co.nz
July/August 2012 Professional Skipper 71
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