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BALTOPS Mine Hunters Seek and Destroy in the Baltic

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090620-19
Release Date: 6/20/2009 2:09:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael T. Rumbach, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe -U.S. Naval Forces Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet

USS MOUNT WHITNEY, Baltic Sea (NNS) -- Mine Countermeasure (MCM) ships participating in Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise 2009 located several WWII era mines and a torpedo while conducting underway operations June 8-18.

The Swedish MCM ship HSwMS Faaroesund (MUL 20) found evidence of mines June 12 when it launched its Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) for a tactical evaluation of the sea floor. It came across an obstacle that led to the discovery of Nazi mines left over from World War II.

A British Royal Navy torpedo left over from World War II was also found while the ships searched for more mines. By the end of the exercise, MCM ships located eight dummy mines that were part of BALTOPS training and three real mines left over from past conflicts. This provided BALTOPS Sailors the opportunity to take the skills practiced on the dummy mines and immediately apply them in a real world scenario.

French ship FS Pegase (M 644) deployed an explosive ordnance disposal unit to detonate the torpedo. Danish ship HDMS Makkelan (P 554) destroyed two mines, while German ship FGS Sulzbach-Rosenberg (M 1062) destroyed another. Both ships used a remote operating vehicle which deposited charges next to the mines before detonating them.

It's estimated that more than 150,000 mines were laid during both World Wars I and II ranging from Sweden to Lithuania, with an estimated 60,000 remaining undiscovered. The presence of mines creates problems in shipping lanes and underwater development in the Baltic Sea. A live mine hunting operation is still ongoing.

BALTOPS is comprised of forces from 12 countries and is the largest multinational naval exercise this year in the Baltic Sea. Annually hosted by the United States Navy, the exercise aims to improve maritime security in the Baltic Sea through increased interoperability and cooperation among regional allies.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe -U.S. Naval Forces Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur/.