PACIFIC OCEAN (July 27, 2016)— Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter)

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 27, 2016)— Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 3rd Class Patrick Hughes takes hold of the winch for the Airborne Environmental Profiler (AEP) aboard a MH-53E Sea Dragon assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 14 as part of a mine-hunting exercise during the Southern California portion of Rim of the Pacific 2016. Twenty-six nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 30 to Aug. 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. 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 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Bryan Jackson/Released)