JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Chad Prejean, an aircraft armament system specialist with the 917th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., checks the A-10 Thunderbolt II munitions prior to a flight during the Rim of the Pacific exercise held June 29 through Aug. 3, 2012. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Mary Hinson)