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US, UK Exercise Tests Mine Countermeasures Capabilities

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100906-07
9/6/2010

By Lt. Liz McMullen, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

BAHRAIN (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy and U.K. Royal Navy completed a mine countermeasures training exercise in the Arabian Gulf Aug. 25.

U.S. mine countermeasures ships (MCMs) assigned to Task Force 52.1, U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel assigned to U.S. Task Force 56 and Royal Navy MCMs from the U.K. and Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) landing ship dock Lyme Bay (L3007) participated in the 10-day bilateral training exercise in the Arabian Gulf.

The exercise focused on improving both navies' mine countermeasures capabilities.

MCM crews and capabilities were tested in a challenging environment throughout the 10 days, during which temperatures reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit each day.

"We specifically scheduled the mine countermeasures exercise during this time of year because it tests the crews and equipment. If you can conduct sustained operations in these conditions, you can do it anywhere," said Capt. Jerry O'Regan, commander of Mine Countermeasures Squadron 5 and Task Group 52.1.

The training exercise was executed in three phases, which included combat enhancement training, mine threat scenarios and exercise mine recovery.

O'Regan emphasized that if there was a situation which required MCMs neutralizing live mines, the ships and crews would need to act quickly.

"Should a mining event occur here, there will be tremendous pressure to get the waterways back open and safe for commercial traffic," said O'Regan. "It's going to be a time problem, and we've got to be ready to respond quickly and effectively. Exercises like this one help us to achieve that goal."

Cmdr. David Bence, commander, U.K. MCM Force and Surface MCM, and commander for this training, recognized the importance of this training in improving coalition readiness.

"This training is crucial in improving the application of mine warfare tactics in U.S. and U.K. mine countermeasures operations. The exercise was an unequivocal success. Our combined capability is greater than the sum of our individual strengths," said Bence.

Vice Adm. Mark Fox, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Combined Maritime Forces, visited a number of the participating ships where he observed a live demonstration of the U.K.'s "Seafox" mine neutralization system aboard HMS Chiddingfold (M37).

During a visit to USS Gladiator (MCM 11), Fox emphasized that mine countermeasures are critical to operations within the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

"Watching our two navies work together to improve their mine countermeasures showed me what a cohesive team we are," said Fox. "Our coalition team was strengthened through this exercise, along with our capabilities which means security and stability in the region were also strengthened."

MCMs operate in support of U.S. 5th Fleet maritime security operations by conducting waterborne security missions, protecting oil platforms and conducting joint operations with coalition patrol forces.