I was sent to Hawaii to liaison between an amphibious task group taking part in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise and participating P-3s. RIMPAC is the largest naval exercise in the world and is hosted in Oahu every two years with many nations around the Pacific participating. Time is split between in-port sporting and social events and underway exercises.
I wasn't really ready to return to Hawaii, but nonetheless spent most of the time underway on the USS Essex working on the staff of a Canadian Admiral. All the different nationalities and the amphibious operations made it at least a novelty. I treated it like a Midshipmen and tried to have as much fun as possible. Couple different helicopter rides - on a Mexican Mi-17 and a USMC H-53E and a trip on a LCAC to the beach and back. Also nice to have cell phone coverage almost the entire time although it meant I was looking at beaches from the ship instead of being on the beach looking at some poor suckers out on a ship.
My RIMPAC in one minute:
After finishing my duties I drove to Shark's Cove on the North Shore and swam for two hours. Rinsed off in the public outdoor shower, drove straight to the airport and flew home. Not a bad way to spend my birthday.
My favorite one minute of RIMPAC:
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