Gulf Minewarfare Exercise – the Royal Navy and the United States Navy have been conducting a joint eight day minewarfare exercise in the Gulf. The exercise was directed from the Command Ship for the (UK) Gulf Minehunting Squadron, the Landing Ship RFA CARDIGAN BAY by a British Commander and the Mine Warfare Battle Staff.  The US Navy AVENGER Class Minehunters DEVASTATOR and SCOUT joined three (of the four) British Minecountermeasure Vessels, the HUNT Class QUORN, and the SANDOWN Class RAMSEY and SHOREHAM.   Also present were the two Type 23 Frigates MONMOUTH and NORTHUMBERLAND, helicopters but front and centre of the exercise were the British SEAFOX mini-submersibles the World’s leading Minecountermeasure system.  Also in attendance were members of the Fleet Diving Unit 3, who are the experts in bomb disposal and the Clearance Diving Team from the HUNT Class vessel ATHERSTONE – the fourth member of the (UK) Gulf Minehunting Squadron.

This exercise was a precursor to a major exercise in May 2013 when forces from more than twenty nations, spanning four continents will come together for International Mine Countermeasures Exercise 13, the biggest event of its type in the Middle East region.    Last year the first IMCMEX 12 which over ten days in September 2013 saw 3,000 personnel from over thirty nations working together across 1,000 miles of ocean.