RIMPAC 2026 sees sinking of USS Mobile Bay and USS Peleliu

During the 30th Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in June–July 2026, the U.S. Navy and partner nations conducted live‑fire sinking exercises (SINKEX) that deliberately sank the decommissioned guided‑missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG‑53) on July 12 and the decommissioned amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA‑5) on July 17. Both ships were sunk in water about 15,000 feet deep, roughly 50 nautical miles north of Kauai, Hawaii.

The exercise involved more than 30 000 personnel, 30 ships, five submarines, 15 land‑force units and over 190 aircraft from the United States, Canada, Australia, Italy, Japan, New Zealand and Spain. Participants used a range of weapons, including HIMARS rockets, Japanese Type‑12 anti‑ship missiles, Lockheed Martin AGM‑158C LRASM missiles, and Rafael Spike NLOS missiles. Vice Adm. Jeff Jablon, commander of the combined task force, said, “Watching our Sailors work side‑by‑side with partners from around the world, executing complex maritime events together, is the strongest reminder of why these relationships matter.” The sinkings provided realistic training to improve coalition targeting, planning and execution capabilities.