Exercise Rim-of-the-Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010 is designed to test their interoperability with 14 Pacific Rim nations, including the US, South Korea, Indonesia and Canada.
2010 marks the 22nd RIMPAC.
Australian Navy ships HMAS Kanimbla, Newcastle and Warramunga; Navy Clearance Divers; soldiers from the Townsville-based 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment; and members of 11 Squadron and 92Wing from Royal Australian Air Force Base Edinburgh in South Australia will the largest and most important exercise Australia has participated in for many years.
The Commander of Australia's contingent to RIMPAC 10, Commodore Stuart Mayer, says the biannual exercise will be the ultimate test of how Australia operates with its Pacific partners.
"This RIMPAC will also give both Navy and Army the chance to exercise in an amphibious space," Commodore Mayer said.
"The first of two new Australian amphibious Landing Helicopter Dock ships (LHDs) is due to be completed in 2014 so we continue to exercise our developing amphibious capability in this environment.
"The information sharing opportunities presented by RIMPAC directly contribute to our preparations for the LHD."
This RIMPAC will be the last for the Navy's 817 Sea King Squadron which is due to be de-commissioned in 2011.
RIMPAC 2010 will be conducted until the 1st of August 2010.