Commander, 3rd Fleet, meets the MQ-9
KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (July 28, 2022) U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Justin Muller, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 MQ-9 detachment mission commander, and U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Terrelle Thomas, 29th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron production superintendent, explain general MQ-9 Reaper specifications and maintenance procedures to U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Michael E. Boyle, Commander, 3rd Fleet, during RIMPAC, July 29, 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 in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Antonio Salfran)