Gulf Manoeuvres – The Gulf Minecountermeasures Squadron, based at Bahrain, are to join a major eleven day mine warfare exercise which will involve vessels from more than two dozen nations in one of the biggest exercises ever staged in the Middle East.      Led by the American Naval Forces Central Command, IMCMEX 12 – the aim is to test the abilities of different nations to work together to keep the sea lanes open and hunt underwater explosive devices in some of the most challenging waters imaginable.

The RFA CARDIGAN BAY is acting as the “Mother Ship” for the British Squadron which comprises the Hunt Class Minecountermeasure Vessels QUORN and ATHERSTONE and the Sandown Class Minecountermeasure Vessels RAMSEY and SHOREHAM.