Navy RHIB

A Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) returns to the guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) after conducting exercises in the Coral Sea. Carried on most U.S. Navy vessels, RHIBs can be quickly launched for personnel rescue or for transportation of personnel between ships. Cowpens is currently operating off the coast of Australia's Queensland region as part of the combined exercise Talisman Sabre 2005. Talisman Sabre is an exercise jointly sponsored by the U.S. Pacific Command and Australian Defence Force Joint Operations Command, designed to train the U.S. Seventh Fleet commander's staff and Australian Joint Operations staff as a designated Combined Task Force (CTF) headquarters. The exercise focuses on crisis action planning and execution of contingency response operations. U.S. Pacific Command units and Australian forces will conduct land, sea and air training throughout the training area. More than 11,000 U.S. and 6,000 Australian personnel will participate. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Bo Flannigan (RELEASED)