AT RIMPAC 2016 TE KAHA tested its live firing combat capabilities. During a live firing SINKEX (Sink Exercise) TE KAHA got its turn to attack a decommissioned US ship, giving the crew a chance to launch a Sea Sparrow missile against the ship.
The firing of the missile is a rare moment in a sailors career, made possible throught the resources and cooperation in the worlds largest maritime exercise, RIMPAC. In another exercise, TE KAHA and her Seasprite SH-2G(I) helicopter joined forces with two N0 5 Squadron P-3K2 Orions to hunt down an "enemy" submarine and attack it with torpedoes. TE KAHA and the helicopter launched MK46 torpedoes, which chased down a remote underwater vehicle playing the part of the submarine.
