English: U.S. Navy Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd Class Mackenzie Hvidsten prepares an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron "Indians" (HSC) 6 for take off aboard the littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2) while the People's Liberation Army (Navy) frigate Yueyang (FF 575) sails into formation in the background during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2014. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 26 to Aug. 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest 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 2014 is the 24th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Corey T. Jones / Released)