 Maritime exercise koa kai wrapped up this weekend in Hawaii. The semiannual exercise includes surface submarine and aviation employers from the Navy, Army and Marine Corps working with foreign militaries. It's designed to prepare and certify them in several warfare areas. This year's joint operation koa kai included U.S. and Royal Canadian navies working together and helped promote partnership. Seven ships from Hawaii and two from San Diego participated in the exercise. Marine squadron VMFA-224 and MAG-24 and the Hawaii Air National Guard provided air support. Exercises like koa kai help improve cooperation, readiness and our capability to respond to crises, including armed conflict and humanitarian aid. From the Defense Media Activity, I'm Petty Officer Stuart Phillips.