PACIFIC OCEAN -- During the at-sea phase of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), Royal Malaysian Navy Kasturi-class corvette KD Lekir (F-26) showcased their maritime capabilities during a sinking exercise (SINKEX).

Conducting their first missile firing outside their territorial waters, Lekir Commanding Officer Cmdr. Mohd Asri bin Dasman said the crew had prepared extensively and was confident they would be successful in hitting their intended target.

“It is my first time commanding a ship and I feel the obligation to meet the requirement,” said Cmdr. Asri.

Military forces from Australia, Canada, Malaysia and the U.S. fired upon and sunk the decommissioned ex-USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60), July 12, during the SINKEX, to gain proficiency in tactics, targeting and live firing against a surface target at sea.

Joining the Royal Malaysian Navy in 2002, Asri was promoted to Commander in 2020 and became the 27th Commanding Officer of Lekir.

In 2012, he participated in an officer exchange program at Royal Australian Navy base HMAS Cerberus in Victoria and holds fond memories of his time and relationship with Australia.

“While here at RIMPAC, I have had the pleasure of catching up with Australian officers I met while on exchange,” said Asri.

“Our two countries have a good relationship and are always looking out for each other's welfare.”

With Malaysia having only participating in the exercise once prior, most of the crew were in Hawaii for the first time.

Able Seaman Radar Plotter Mogenshwar Ganesan had never travelled overseas and said he could not ask for a better first port visit.

“I work as a radar plotter on the bridge and am proud to represent my country in this multinational exercise,” said Mogenshwar.

“I have made many friends here from different countries and seen many cultures.”

Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft, more than 30 unmanned systems and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.