The Pacific Air Operations Center within the Kenney Warfighting Headquarters at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, has provided command and control for US Pacific Command’s Rim of the Pacific exercise, attended by airmen and sailors of seven Pacific Rim nations and the United Kingdom. RIMPAC 2006 comprises nearly 160 aircraft, 40 ships, and six submarines—all being managed through the “state of the art” PAOC. “We speak different languages, and we found out initially that we have different acronyms for things, but that all those things are easily overcome,” said Brig. Gen. Greg Ihde, the KHQ vice commander and PAOC commander. “That’s why we practice.”
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
