KAWAIHAE — With a roar of four jet engines, the amphibious vessel’s rubber bags filled with air, quickly lifting the 87-foot monstrosity 6 feet off the ground.
The U.S. Navy LCAC seemingly floated over the sand, kicking up a cloud of dust and mist as the hovercraft’s massive propellers spun, making its way into the water at Kawaihae Harbor to gather soldiers and equipment from the USS Bonhomme Richard sitting some 3-5 miles offshore.
“We call it flying,” said Navy Singer Chief Nathan Bricker, an LCAC (an acronym for landing craft air cushion) pilot, or flight master.
The LCAC was one of two high-speed, fully amphibious hovercraft taking part in the Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC, exercises Friday in the waters off South Kohala. The morning was spent transporting Marines and equipment — including large trucks — from the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship to the harbor. From there, they convoyed some 47 miles to Pohakuloa Training Area for training.
This year, RIMPAC, which continues through Aug. 2, comprises some 26 nations, 47 surface ships, five submarines, 18 national land forces and more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel.
The biennial exercises, which take place in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California, provide a unique training opportunity designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans, according to the U.S. Navy Indo-Pacific Command.
“The importance of RIMPAC to PTA is really demonstrated in the multilateral, combined, international presence that is training there right now,” said PTA Commander Lt. Col. Loreto V. Borce. “When you have 26 nations participating in an exercise, many of them on the ground at PTA, you see the dynamic interaction between forces and that training is absolutely invaluable to our service members and frankly to our nation.”
“It also speaks to the capacity that Pohakuloa Training Area has here on Hawaii Island to facilitate this high level of training on an multilateral basis,” he added. “And whether it’s on land or sea or air, PTA provides the capabilities for the thousands of service members training to hone their skills.”
Friday’s training followed a Thursday incident in which an Indonesian military vessel apparently dropped anchor not far offshore of Kawaihae, possibly damaging coral and disturbing fishing grounds, according to Jojo Tanimoto, vice chairman of the Big Island Aha Moku Council.
Tanimoto, who represents the Kohala district, also noted concerns about maneuvers in the near-shore areas affecting fishing grounds and the spray generated by the vessels that coats area residences.
Contacted by Tanimoto, state Rep. Cindy Evans, D-North Kona, South Kohala, said she reached out to Borce, who worked the channels to get the vessel moved away from the coast.
Borce was present Friday to ensure all regulations were followed, noting the service members were doing a “fabulous job.”
With the situation rectified, Evans said her next step is to reach out the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources to make sure the fishing grounds are on maritime charts to prevent future incidents.
Also present during Friday’s training were members of the public who called themselves “protectors.” They were unaware of the planned training, but spent the morning observing the activities taking place at Kawaihae while spending time with family making ulu poi.
Email Chelsea Jensen at cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com.
