Able Seaman Benjamin Mafrici prepares to raise the
Summary
Able Seaman Benjamin Mafrici prepares to raise the colors on board HMAS Perth during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Approximately 1,100 Australian sailors, soldiers, airmen and women are participating in RIMPAC. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. Photo by Australian CPL Chris Dickson, 1st Joint Public Affairs Unit/RELEASED