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Sasebo Minesweepers Complete MINEX-EODEX 06

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060301-07
3/1/2006

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 completed 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. 24.

The exercise was concluded with a final integrated scenario, in which U.S. and JMSDF naval assets executed a safe passage for JDS Bungo (MST 464), the exercise’s command and control ship, by locating and clearing mines along its path.

The integrated scenario was the first of its kind for MINEX-EODEX and established interoperability between the two navies, said Cmdr. Kurt E. Hedberg, commodore, Mine Countermeasures Division (MCMDIV) 11, whose staff has been embarked on Bungo and provided direct support to Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCMRON) 1 during the exercise.

“This scenario and the exercise in general greatly strengthened our relationship with the Japanese navy and showed what we could accomplish together as one team,” said Hedberg. “The camaraderie and interoperability between U.S. and JMSDF mine warfare communities has become stronger because of this exercise.”

The Sasebo, Japan-based USS Guardian (MCM 5) and USS Patriot (MCM 7) engaged in the joint training with Bungo, JDS Uraga (MST 463) and 17 JMSDF mine countermeasures ships. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, Detachments 51 and EODMU Detachment 53, both forward deployed to Sasebo, coordinated with the Japanese Mine Force Headquarters EOD Team during the exercise. Detachment 53 was on Patriot while Detachment 51 was aboard Bungo.

Phase one, which ended Feb. 19, focused on the individual aspects of mine hunting, while phase two was the integration of all previous lessons for the scenario. The countermeasures ships conducted a series of mine sweeps and mine-hunting procedures while the EOD teams neutralized deployed mines. A refueling at sea (RAS) between the U.S. ships and Bungo was also done during phase one.

A handful of personnel from the forward deployed U.S. mine sweepers and JMSDF also took the opportunity to participate in a personnel exchange. Participants of exchange said they greatly enjoyed the experience.

“It was a good experience, and I thank the whole crew for their kindness and friendliness,” said Lt. j.g. K. Otani, the operations officer aboard MSO Aishima, who spent three days aboard Patriot. “I was impressed by the high level of skill by the crew here. They conducted the mission quite calmly. I look forward to seeing them again!”

Mineman 1st Class Shaun P. Campell, deck department leading petty officer (LPO) on Guardian, was impressed by the unity of the Japanese ship he visited, MSO Yeayama.

“The crew was really meshed together,” he said. “Everybody helped everybody no matter what. No one had to even ask; they just did it for each other.”

The experiences gained from the exchange and the exercise will be vital in the future, said Hedberg.

“The knowledge and the friendships gained here will certainly carry on and make us that much more both stronger for our nations defense,” said Hedberg.

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.