US Coast Guard Cutter Munro departing from the dock in San Diego. Photo Credit: Tom Brossman

US Naval Institute News Service reports on the start of a scaled down RIMPAC 2020. Among the ships participating is the National Security Cutter USCGC Munro.

Australia has sent a particularly large contingent, second only to that of the US, a destroyer, two frigates, and an oiler. No other countries sent more than two ships.

Brunei’s contribution, KDB Darulehsan (OPV 07) will be interesting. It is the same basic design as the twelve OPVs being built for the Australian Navy. She is reportedly equipped with 4 × Exocet MM40 Block 3. Will be interesting to see if she is shooter during the exercise.

Nice to see the photo below of USS Essex (LHD-2) looking very much like a WWII aircraft carrier, bringing WWII vintage aircraft to Hawaii where they will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII.

USS Essex (LHD-2) arrives at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for RIMPAC 2020 on Aug. 10, 2020. US Navy Photo