2
The exercise is an opportunity for NZDF personnel to participate and gain
experience with other militaries. Interoperability and familiarity with how other
militaries work is an important objective of such exercises. Such familiarity can
be valuable, for example, when we work alongside each other on a range of
operations, such as maritime interdiction operations in the region.
Questions about Israel’s involvement in RIMPAC should be directed to the US
military.
2.
Weekly report items submitted to the Minister of Defence:
Defence Weekly Report (8-14 February 2024)
Operations and Training
Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC)
List of 3 items
1. RIMPAC continues as the world’s largest joint and combined maritime exercise. This
exercise remains vitally important for the development of integrated, interoperable
and well-prepared partners who have shared interest in enduring peace and stability
throughout the Indo-Pacific Region. The exercise provides an opportunity for social and
professional interactions with like-minded partners across the air, land and maritime
domains.
2. A major event in the RIMPAC 2024 planning process is the Commander’s
Conference. The conference provides an opportunity for the RIMPAC 2024 Executive
Steering Committee and key staff to review major aspects of the exercise such as
concept of operations, operational risk management and environmental issues.
The conference also provides an appropriate setting to interact socially in support of
establishing solid working relationships and friendships prior to the exercise.
3. The Commander’s Conference will see over 100 delegates converge on Wellington
over the period 19-23 February. The Commander’s Conference will be hosted by the
Commander Third Fleet, Admiral Boyle with the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)
represented by Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour.
Defence Weekly Report (6-12 June 2024)
Operation CRUCIBLE: Further to the submission of 29 April, Operation Crucible 2024
will commence this month with participation in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC)
exercise. RIMPAC is the world's largest international maritime exercise, spanning all
maritime based warfare disciplines. It is set in a coalition environment that includes
live firing and specialist serials, such as amphibious training and integration with
advanced littoral (ship to shore) capabilities.
Exercise RIMPAC 24 includes a series of combined live Field Training Exercises,
conducted in the operating areas of the Hawaiian Islands. The exercise will be hosted
by the United States Navy during the period 27 June-1 August. (U)
2. The objective of New Zealand participation in RIMPAC 24 is to enhance New Zealand
Defence Force (NZDF) interoperability through the deployment of NZDF force elements
and the augmentation of key headquarters staff positions to improve overall individual
and collective readiness. The NZDF contribution to RIMPAC 24 will include HMNZS
3
Aotearoa, an operational dive team from HMNZS Matataua, a national command and
support element, a range of staff augmentees and a P-8A Poseidon aircraft
detachment. Aotearoa will deploy on 13 June. (U)
3.
Operational update on HMNZS Aotearoa dated 29 April 2024, provided to the
Minister of Defence on 1 May 2024:
3. Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) is the world's largest international maritime warfare
exercise. It is held biennially and hosted and administered by the United States Navy's
Third Fleet. There are 30 nations planned to participate in RIM PAC 2024 including our
close partners Australia, Canada, the US, the UK and Tonga.
In addition, please find enclosed copies of email correspondence between the NZDF and the
Office of the Minister of Defence. Where indicated, personal information is withheld to
protect privacy in accordance with section 9(2)(a) of the OIA; and information concerning
the provision of advice is withheld to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs in
accordance with section 9(2)(g)(i) of the OIA.
You have the right, under section 28(3) of the OIA, to ask an Ombudsman to review this
response to your request. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Please note that responses to official information requests are proactively released where
possible. This response to your request will be published shortly on the NZDF website.
Yours sincerely
AJ WOODS
Air Commodore
Chief of Staff HQNZDF
Enclosure:
1.
Email correspondence between NZDF and Office of the Minister of Defence
