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Rim of the Pacific 2024 – Supply Always delivers

America’s Favorite aircraft carrier USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) hosted 29 countries and over 1,000 visitors for the closing BIG TOP reception to end the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) military exercise in Pearl Harbor.  

Supply members await reception gear on board USS CARL VINSON on 29 JUL 2024. VINSON participated in a vertical replenishment with the Frankfurt am Main (A1412). Photo by LTJG Carston Swenson. 

The Preparation

Pacific (RIMPAC) military exercise in Pearl Harbor.   How does one prep for such a big reception? You sit back, relax, and allow VINSON Supply to take the lead.  From completing a vertical replenishment with Germany’s Frankfurt am Main to coordinating crane ops, VINSON’s Supply team came prepared. Supply spent months planning the Hangar Bay layout, coordinating food vendors, and onloading reception gear. As they always say, “Have you asked Supply?”

Distinguished guests and visitors roamed all three Hangar Bays interacting with each countries’ booths. Photo by MC1 Marcus Stanley.

Country Roll Call

International partners showcased their respective cultures during the BIG TOP Reception. LT Dearing from VINSON Supply team lead the charge in coordinating 14 country booths. Each booth exhibited unique food and drink selections and were hosted by partner nations: bruschetta from Italy, tacos from Mexico, and a fan favorite Saki from Japan. Nothing brings the world together like food! Guests enjoyed live music, remarks from RIMPAC leadership,  tours of the flight deck, and hors devoirs in all three hangar bays. Want something a little closer to home? VINSON Supply took care of that, too. Not only did VINSON cater food for the event, the prominent display was the handmade carrier cake designed and created by the S-2 division. Sharing food together strengthens relationships like no-other; VINSON Supply provided the venue, food, and décor to foster these relationships. 

CVN 70’s color guard presents arms during the BIG TOP reception’s opening ceremony. The reception opened with a speech from ADM Paparo celebrating the importance of the completed RIMPAC exercises. Photo by MC1 Marcus Stanley.

The Immaculate Reception

The reception celebrated the completion of the largest RIMPAC to date with over 25,000 military participants. The 29 countries came together for one last  time before resuming the watch. The reception highlighted the importance of allied relations in striving towards one common goal: maintaining international freedom throughout the seas. The red carpet shined, our microphones boomed, and a feast was enjoyed as six long weeks of operations came to a successful completion. VINSON Supply celebrated the night by doing what we do best: cleaning up and onloading stores the next morning at 0600. VINSON Supply takes pride in the Supply Corps’  most coveted trait: being Ready For Sea.  

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