HMNZS Aotearoa (A11) returns to Pearl Harbor during RIMPAC 26

PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, UNITED STATES

07.29.2026

Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Charles Harbour 

Royal New Zealand Navy Polar-class auxiliary ship HMNZS Aotearoa (A11) returns to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026, July 29, 2026. Thirty nations, over 30 ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 190 aircraft and 30,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 24 to July 31. 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 2026 is the 30th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Charles Harbour)