Total Force Airmen maintain MQ-9 mission at RIMPAC 2022

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (July 25, 2022) U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Joel Vargas, 163rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron avionics specialist, replaces an MQ-9 Reaper radar set during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, July 25, at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Unmanned and remotely operated vessels extend the capability of interconnected manned platform sensors to enhance the warfighting capacity of multinational joint task forces. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 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 while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise is in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla)