Photo: USCGC Stratton. Image, Department of Defense ID 111031-D-0193C-002

DefenseNews has published the list of participating vessels in this year’s RIMPAC exercise. USCGC Stratton, a 418 foot Waesche class cutter will be sailing for the exercise from San Diego on June 22 in company with the US cruiser Princeton, destroyer Pinckney, littoral combat ship Coronado and the Canadian frigate Calgary.

Once again there will be a significant Chinese contingent. During the last RIMPAC, in 2014, the Coast Guard had a significant role with USCGC Waesche heading up a Maritime Interdiction exercise that included three Chinese vessels as well as five other vessels. Will be interesting to see what they have Stratton doing this year.