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Sasebo Minesweepers Complete First Phase of MINEX/EODEX 06

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060224-02
Release Date: 2/24/2006 9:33:00 AM

From USS Guardian and USS Patriot Public Affairs

KURE, Japan (NNS) -- Two forward-deployed U.S Navy mine countermeasures ships with embarked personnel and 19 Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) assets finished phase one of the joint and combined MINEX/EODEX (Mine Exercise/Explosive Ordnance Disposal Exercise) 2006 in the Sea of Suo Nada off the coast of Kure, Japan, Feb. 19.

The Sasebo, Japan-based USS Guardian (MCM 5) and USS Patriot (MCM 7) completed the first week of bilateral training with JDS Uraga (MST 463), JDS Bungo (MST 464) and 17 JMSDF mine countermeasures ships. During the first phase, which focused on training in specific areas, the countermeasures ships conducted a series of mine sweeps, mine-hunting procedures, as well as a refueling at sea (RAS) between the U.S. ships and Bungo.

Also included in the first phase was a personnel exchange between the ships.

“I am very pleased with the responsiveness and execution of all ships and personnel involved and truly amazed by the interoperability we are conducting here,” said Cmdr. Kurt E. Hedberg, commodore, Mine Countermeasures Division (MCMDIV) 11, whose staff has been embarked on Bungo and providing direct support to Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCMRON) 1 during the exercise. “We are learning a lot from the Japanese, and I know they are learning from us, as well. This exercise is a win-win for all of us here.”

Simulated minefields were established throughout the inland sea using both aerial and shipboard deployment mine-laying techniques.

Guardian and Patriot used the special mine-hunting sonar, AN/SQQ 32, as well as a mine neutralization vehicle (MNV) to locate and classify the shapes within the minefields. Once the shapes were determined to contain mine-like characteristics, the ships would deploy explosive U.S. and JMSDF ordinance divers to neutralize the mines. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, Det. 51 and EODMU Det. 53, both forward deployed to Sasebo, and the Japanese Mine Force Headquarters EOD Team, have taken on this responsibility. Det. 53 has been on Patriot while Det. 51 is on Bungo.

Joint classroom-type training sessions were also conducted as the two navies exchanged their techniques for accomplishing the mission.

“The exercise has gone well so far and I am extremely pleased with the performance of the divers from my detachment,” said Lt. Brian Cummings, officer-in-charge of EODMU Det. 53. “We often don’t get to embark mine countermeasures assets, so not only is this a great opportunity to operate with the Japanese but also with the surface potion of the mine countermeasures triad.”

As extension of the first phase’s training focus, the ships involved conducted several mine sweeps, utilizing both mechanical sweeps, designed to cut the tethers on moored mine shapes, and an influence sweep, which is designed to detonate magnetic and acoustically-influenced mines in the simulated minefields.

The efficiency of the crews to locate, identify and then neutralize mines and also flawlessly conduct complex mine sweep evolutions is a testament to the quality of training and professionalism the Sailors participating in the exercise have, said Lt. Cmdr. Richard Brawley, Patriot’s commanding officer.

“It was clear that the many months of preparation had paid off,” said Brawley. “More than anything, I was impressed by the high level of skill the JMSDF Sailors exuded in both mine countermeasures and then in the RAS ((replenishment at sea) evolution. In the little aspects that needed improvement, there was an eagerness to learn.”

Phase two, which began Feb. 21, will be more scenario-driven and the integrated training will replicate an operational environment.

Patriot and Guardian are mine countermeasures ships forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan. Both serve under Task Force 76, which serves as the U.S. 7th Fleet’s mine countermeasures arm in forward-deployed operations.