Air Force 'POLcats' fuel RIMPAC

Airmen from the 47th Fighter Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., prepares A-10 Thunderbolt IIs on Hickam Field July 25 while supporting the 2012 Rim of the Pacific exercise at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The Airmen operating the U.S. Naval Supply Fleet Logistic Center Pearl Harbor fuels department on Hickam Field pumped more than 10 million gallons of fuel to support air operations for RIMPAC. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from Jun. 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international 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 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)