U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Praises South Korea's RIMPAC 2026 Performance

Vice Adm. Jeffrey Jablon, deputy commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, said Sunday he was extremely pleased with the South Korean Navy's performance in RIMPAC 2026. He noted that South Korea is the first Asian country assigned a command role, with Rear Adm.

Kim In-ho serving as combined maritime component commander. RIMPAC 2026 began June 24 and runs through July 31 in Hawaii. More than 25,000 personnel from 31 countries are taking part. South Korea sent the Aegis destroyer Jeongjo the Great, a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft and the 3,000-ton submarine Dosan Ahn Chang-ho.

"We are very happy to partner with the Republic of Korea and Rear Adm. In-Ho Kim and his team," Jablon said in a written response to Korean media. " "The Republic of Korea continues to contribute highly capable and modern platforms that contribute to the exercise and demonstrate the professionalism of the Republic of Korea Navy," he added.

The forces train across a wide range of maritime operations to improve interoperability, strengthen partnerships and increase collective readiness, he said. Jablon stated that recent global events and conflicts have had no impact on this RIMPAC. "RIMPAC isn't about any one particular country or sending a message to any one adversary, it's about building the readiness and interoperability we need to operate effectively together, whenever and wherever that's required," he said.