RIMPAC ‘74

[Charlie_c67]

Coming soon to a forum near you...

[Charlie_c67]

The Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) was first held in the islands of Hawaii in 1971 and involved forces from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and US. Since 1974 they have been held biannually with the countries involved varying each year other than the constant presence of Australia, Canada and the US. Used to work on integrating allied forces, testing new ideas and equipment, the event has grown to include such nations as Japan, Chile and Brunei amongst others. This story comes from the 1974 event, one the US would rather forget.

Seaman Beaumont rubbed his eyes blearily. A combination of the dark interior, glowing radar screens and air conditioning were not helping, but deep in the bowels of Big E the tension was playing its part. A few hours earlier the ships crew had been informed of their role in this years RIMPAC and were to play the aggressors. Fresh out of an upgrade to accommodate the Navy's new F-14 fighter and with the notoriously troublesome radar system repaired, Beaumont had been sure Red Force would sweep all before it to allow the amphibious landing that was planned. In addition to USS Hancock off the port bow, multiple frigates, destroyers and even a pair of Sturgeon-Class submarines made up this portion of the fleet, leaving many of the crew confident of success. Facing them were a combined force of Commonwealth fleets and squadrons, as well a number of experimental units, the nature of which was currently unknown. Aaronsson, Beaumont's superior, had scoffed when they'd been informed, loudly proclaiming that the Brits and Aussies were using out-dated tech from the 50's which would be no match for Big E and her forces, shouting down anyone that had tried to contradict him. Despite being finally calmed down by the Captain, the wry smile that played across the senior officer's lips during the diatribe had shown he didn't totally disagree. Others weren't so sure, pointing out that the new Commonwealth carriers had been recently commissioned and that they carried a new strike aircraft in addition to the rugged Buccaneers of the Royal Navy and nimble Skyhawks of the RAN. All dissenting voices had gradually grown quiet though, being accused of being unpatriotic and worse. And so they had set out from Pearl in good spirits, convinced they would roll over anything and everything that stood before them.

Working their way towards the target beachhead, Beaumont was a little surprised at the lack of engagement with the enemy forces so far. A pair of reconnaissance jets had come close and been chased off by the patrolling fighters, but since then, no signs of enemy ships, no further flyovers.

Nothing.

Nothing until an all hands call indicated the "loss" of USS Pogy to an unknown aggressor, followed by reports of one of the outlying frigates also being taken out. Since then, the Vikings and Trackers from both carriers had been kept busy, whilst the range and numbers in the CAPs had increased, but so far the attacker had eluded them. Confident the threat had held at bay, the fleet admiral had taken the decision to hunt for the surface fleet, whilst also taking the opportunity to soften the beachhead by striking at any targets of opportunity. The first wave of Intruders had taken off, tracked now on the screen in front of Beaumont, and preparations were being made for another when he suddenly noticed some intermittent returns that weren't part of the forces sent from the Hancock. From the speed they appeared to be doing, it was clear they were the Buccaneers Aaronsson had been so scornful of, but at a height that defied belief. Surely they couldn't be so low? About to notify the officers, the screen suddenly crazed as powerful overlapping jamming signals prevented the operators from pinpointing the threat and electronic warfare officers scrambled to counteract what had rendered the radar blind. Increasingly frantic calls came from the aircraft in the skies and supporting fleet over the radio as they too were stricken by the same attack. Those enquiries turned to curses as missile locks and confirmed "kills" began to come through.

Finally the EWOs began to cut through the noise and the radar screens once again cleared up revealing the simulated carnage on the skies. The Buccaneers Beaumont had initially spotted were now well away from the F-14s that had been vectored in on their last known location. Meanwhile, rapidly accelerating unknown aircraft had appeared in a pincer movement either side of the task force, with little or no available defensive airborne forces to intercept them, engaged as they were with the Blue forces fighters. Simulated hits against supporting fleet started to come in as first the squadrons either side, then the Buccaneers and Sky Hawks in front began to press home their attack, losing some of their number, but never enough. Never enough. Beaumont stared open mouthed as once again the view of the radar screen was obliterated by jamming signals seemingly emanating from three large aircraft that had been just at the edge of the radar's range, facilitating the escape of the attackers. Just as image was lost once more, ships of the enemy fleet appeared behind the remains of the task force, steaming steadily forward to finish off what remained. With the call coming in that the remaining submarine, the USS Batfish, was lost to the unknown hunter, the fleet admiral admitted defeat and called for a swift withdrawal, only to be heard loudly cursing over the ships intercom when it became clear the ship had been "hit" multiple times, marking it as destroyed and effectively out of the remaining exercise.

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Sat surrounded by his cheering crew, Vice-Admiral MacKenzie allowed himself a tight lipped smile. Both the new Mako's and converted Vulcans had performed well as had the USS Glenard P. Lipscomb, loaned to Blue force as part  of its sea trials before commissioning. With a curt bark, he quelled the celebrations and ordered all forces to return to base, aware that the exercise was not yet over. Out there was the landing force, no doubt bigger, better armed and now likely aware of what they faced. The battle had been a resounding success, but there would be others to follow, with less brash, over confident commanders in charge. Returning to his cabin, Mackenzie was relishing the challenge.

For avoidance of doubt, all characters and events are the result of a fertile imagination... 

[Old Wombat]

I like it!       


How could I not, as an ex-RAN FAA Tracker maintainer? 

I've, also, seen a photo of the Big E taken through the periscope of an O-boat (Oberon-class submarine) at close range, in a perfect alignment for a full spread of torpedoes, taken during one of the RIMPACs (possibly 1974). 

[NARSES2]

Thoroughly enjoyable read