RIMPAC, the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, is held every other year in and around Honolulu.
It’s a show of force, an extended hand of friendship and alliance, and a sign of stability among participating nations in the Pacific Rim. This year, the U.S. Navy will be joined by 26 partners and allies during the late-June to early-August event.
And while RIMPAC often showcases a few military bands from some of the attending nations, this year’s events will also feature an amazing non-military musical lineup sponsored by Armed Forces Entertainment. On board will be four musical styles in one big wave of entertainment of rock, pop, country and R&B artists. The RIMPAC performances coincide with, and are part of, AFE’s annual Heat Wave series. Heat Wave brings top musical performances to deployed troops around the world. This year the Heat Wave series runs from 7 June to 9 July and features several unique acts.
Free live music
At RIMPAC 2022, AFE’s live, free music features headliner country star Chase Rice warmed up by pop artist MAX, rock band The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and the creative pop/R&B sound of Marc E. Bassy. The concerts will take place at Schofield Barracks, Marine Corps Base Hawaii and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Before each show, the musical artists will spend time with the service members and their families at meet-and-greet events on each base.
A show of force
RIMPAC Exercise | CREDIT: Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph M. Buliavac via DoD
RIMPAC began in 1971 by Australia, Canada and the United States. It was held annually until 1974 when its large scale made it necessary to change to a biennial exercise. The 2022 events will be the 28th RIMPAC, with 27 partner nations committing 42 ships, 5 submarines, more than 170 aircraft, and nearly 25,000 personnel to the exercise.
