Retired frigate takes a pounding

Retired Navy frigate USS Thach was hit with nearly five thousand pounds of high explosives, weaponry and missiles as part of sinking exercise off Hawaii in connection with the multi-national Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises. Yet, the ship lasted for nearly 12 hours. (Source: Popular Mechanics and video 07/18/16) Gulf Coast Note: USS America was built on the Gulf Coast at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss. It has embarked with more than 800 Marines in support of RIMPAC 2016. America's air capabilities stem from MV-22 Ospreys and MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters. Twenty-six nations, 40-plus ships, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC through Aug. 4. It is the world's largest international maritime exercise. America is serving as the amphibious task force command and control platform for RIMPAC. In a blog from Capt. Michael Baze, USS America's commander, the amphib’s rotary-wing and tilt-rotor Navy/Marines aircraft will operate from the ship during RIMPAC, culminating with an amphibious landing and live-fire exercise July 30 at the Army's Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii, according to Military.com. The landings will involve non-America based Landing Craft Air Cushioned (LCACs) and other amphibious vehicles. Baze described America as "an aviation-centric platform." It was built for the MV-22 Osprey and the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter as part of a new concept for amphibious warfare. No F-35Bs will participate in RIMPAC.