Military leaders from nine nations came together June 30 to begin the academics portion of the humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) exercise as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026.

The Senior Staff Command Forum ran over the first of three days of HADR training courses led by the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management in coordination with United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, World Food Program, Changi Regional HADR Coordination Centre, and Pacific Disaster Center to prepare command teams for the upcoming exercise and demonstrate coordination efforts of real-world disaster response operations.

“For the past 24 months, planners from Sydney to San Diego have worked to bring this exercise to life. Your hard work, attention to detail, and tireless coordination have led us to this moment. Today, the planning phase is complete. Our force is assembled, and it is time to execute,” said U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Jeffrey Jablon, deputy commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet and Exercise RIMPAC 2026 Combined Task Force (CTF). “Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response is a vital part of RIMPAC. Across our region, natural disasters are not a matter of if, but when. When they occur, our ability to respond quickly and effectively strengthens regional stability, reinforces our partnerships, and saves lives.”

Additional training includes an introductory level HADR symposium and a HADR planners’ course. These courses are designed to provide a foundation of knowledge tailored for multinational disaster response. Each course will cover discussions with subject matter experts, case studies, and tabletop exercises related to the RIMPAC 2026 HADR scenario.

“Principle one is build relationships before disasters strikes. This is perhaps the most consistently validated lesson across every major HADR operation. When the earthquake hits, when the tsunami arrives, it is too late to exchange business cards,” said Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Adm. Takuo Kobayashi, Exercise RIMPAC 2026 CTF vice commander. “Over the next ten days, I ask you to give this exercise your full commitment — to strengthen the partnerships between our participating units and agencies, and to grow the individual and collective capabilities that we will need when the next disaster comes.”

Throughout the HADR exercise, participants will train in a wide range of dynamic scenarios, including urban search and rescue, Hawaii Healthcare Emergency Management mass casualty response, aerial assessments, port restoration, and logistical movements in support of  disaster response operations.

Thirty nations, over 30 surface ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 206 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.