A Super Stallion CH-53E helicopter takes off from the USS America July 12, 2016 during deck landing qualifications and initial arrival. Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 (reinforced) will operate the aircraft from the USS America as the Aviation Combat Element for Provisional Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Hawaii during RIMPAC. Twenty-six nations, 49 ships, six submarines, about 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC 2016 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 participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans.
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