Australian sub sinks target ship Kilauea during RIMPAC
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This undated Navy photo shows the former USS Kilauea, a decommissioned ammunition ship that was used for target practice as part of the Rim of the Pacific international navy exercises.
The former USS Kilauea is the latest ship sunk as part of the Rim of the Pacific exercises in and around the Hawaiian Islands.
The ammunition ship commissioned in 1968 went down in water nearly 15,500 feet deep 63 miles off the coast of Kauai this morning, sunk by an Australian submarine.
Australian Commodore Stuart Mayer, Combined Forces Maritime Component commander for RIMPAC, said the “HMAS Farncomb’s success reminds us yet again of the invaluable role submarines play in modern warfare.”
The U.S. Navy says the exercises allow crews to gain proficiency in live firing.
Two other ships were sunk during the exercises this month.
Environmental and costs concerns had prompted the Navy to observe a moratorium on using old ships for target practice.
