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Philippine Navy, Coast Guard arrive in Hawaii for world's largest naval exercise
NEW YORK — The Filipino contingent from the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard has arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii, to participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 Exercise, which will run from June through the end of July.
Consul General Arman Talbo personally welcomed the officers and crew of the Philippine Navy's BRP Miguel Malvar and the Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Gabriela Silang upon their arrival and docking at Pearl Harbor on June 21.
"Aloha at maligayang pagdating sa Pearl Harbor sa ating Philippine Coast Guard contingent aboard BRP Gabriela Silang (Aloha and happy arrival at Pearl Harbor to our Phlippine Coast Guard contingent aboard the BRP Gabriela Silang). They will be participating in the biggest maritime activity, RIMPAC 2026, together with delegations from other participating countries. Mabuhay!" Talbo said.
Talbo added that the deployment of the Philippine contingent to RIMPAC 2026 reflects the Philippines' growing maritime capabilities and its continued commitment to strengthening maritime security, interoperability, and regional cooperation with allies and partners in promoting a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region.
The Philippine contingent will join ships and personnel from other participating nations in RIMPAC 2026 to further enhance interoperability through multi-domain combat and contingency training.
Last February, the PCG announced that it will participate in RIMPAC 2026, making it the first foreign coast guard to join the exercise since its inception.
The theme of this year's exercise is "Partners: Integrated and Prepared."
RIMPAC 2026 will be hosted by the US Pacific Fleet and led by the Commander of the US 3rd Fleet.
Chile will serve as deputy commander, Japan as vice commander, the Republic of Korea will command the maritime component, and Canada will command the air component.
The biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise will bring together 31 nations in and around the Hawaiian Islands.
The exercise will feature a multinational force of approximately 40 surface ships, five submarines, 140 aircraft, and more than 25,000 personnel.
RIMPAC 2026 will cover a wide range of capabilities, including amphibious operations, gunnery and missile proficiency, anti-submarine warfare, air defense exercises, military medicine, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, counter-piracy operations, mine clearance, explosive ordnance disposal, and diving and salvage operations.
Throughout the exercise, participating forces will train and operate together to strengthen collective readiness and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. — VDV, GMA News
