HONOLULU — The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball (WMSL 756) concluded operations in support of the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 exercise and returned to their homeport in Honolulu, July 27.

Throughout the in-port and at-sea phases from mid-June through late July, Honolulu-based assets, including Kimball, Coast Guard cutters William Hart (WPC 1134), Oliver Berry (WPC 1124), Hollyhock (WLB 214), and the Pacific Regional Dive Locker, partnered closely with international military forces to enhance interoperability and strengthen regional maritime security.

During the exercise, Kimball operated alongside key partner nations, including the Mexican Navy frigate ARM Benito Juárez (POLA 101), the Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel Gabriela Silang (OPV 8301), the Royal New Zealand Navy support ship HMNZS Aotearoa (A11), and the cutters William Hart and Oliver Berry.

Together, the combined forces executed a rigorous series of tactical evolutions, including live-fire gunnery exercises, compliant and non-compliant vessel boardings, search-and-rescue drills, refueling-at-sea, damage control and helicopter crash training, and complex tactical maneuvering.

“Participating in RIMPAC 2026 reinforces the critical role the Coast Guard plays in driving international cooperation across the Indo-Pacific,” said Capt. Craig Allen, commanding officer of Cutter Kimball. “Working shoulder-to-shoulder with our foreign coast guard and naval allies sharpens our tactical readiness and deepens the trust necessary to ensure safety, security, and open sea lanes across the Pacific.”

Following the conclusion of RIMPAC, Kimball’s crew will enter an in-port maintenance before departing on a Western Pacific patrol. The upcoming deployment will build on the momentum generated during RIMPAC, focusing on bilateral maritime training, international law enforcement, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fisheries enforcement.

RIMPAC 2026 marks the 30th iteration of the world’s premier international maritime exercise, which began in 1971. Centered on the theme “Partners: Integrated and Prepared,” this year’s exercise brought together forces from 30 nations, 30 surface ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 190 aircraft, and 30,000 personnel to foster relationships critical to sustaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.