The
International Mine Countermeasures Exercise, the largest maritime exercise
in the world, kicked off April 4, with international naval and civilian
maritime forces from more than 30 nations spanning six continents training
together across the Middle East. The exercise is organized and led by
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, which leads U.S. Navy and afloat
Marine Corps forces across the more than 2.5 million square miles of
ocean in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. |
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The exercise
is organized and led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, which leads
U.S. Navy and afloat Marine Corps forces across the more than 2.5 million
square miles of ocean in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
"These participating nations are united by a common thread -- the
need to protect the free flow of commerce from a range of maritime threats
including piracy, terrorism and mines," said Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan,
commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. "This region provides
a strong training opportunity for nations worldwide as three of the
six major maritime chokepoints in the world are here: the Suez Canal,
the Strait of Bab Al Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz. Nearly 20 percent
of the world's oil transits through the Strait of Hormuz every day.
Imagine the impact on the global economy if suddenly that oil stops
flowing because of restricted sea lanes. This region is clearly important
to the whole world."
Through the course of this exercise, participants will train to execute
a wide spectrum of defensive operations designed to protect international
commerce and trade consisting of mine countermeasures, maritime security
operations, and maritime infrastructure protection.
"This exercise is also a great opportunity for us to build proficiency
and test the latest technology available for ensuring the global maritime
commons stay open and secure," said Donegan. "It also allows
us to work with our partners to reinforce adherence to the international
rules and accepted behavioral norms expected of professional mariners.
If all nations followed these established practices the result would
be a safe and stable maritime global commons with commerce flowing freely
for the benefit of the global economy."
IMCMEX is focused on maritime security from the port of origin to the
port of arrival and will include scenarios that range from mine countermeasures,
infrastructure protection and maritime security operations in support
of civilian shipping.
IMCMEX begins with a symposium in Bahrain on Maritime Infrastructure
Protection bringing together governments, militaries and industry to
discuss how to best provide the necessary foundation of security that
supports unrestricted access to the vital maritime infrastructure that
is critical to regional and global economies.
IMCMEX will also demonstrate new technologies, such as unmanned underwater
vehicles and exercise the sealift capabilities of expeditionary fast
transport ship USNS Choctaw County and afloat forward staging base USS
Ponce, equipped with the U.S. Navy's only operational laser weapon system.
Exercise operations will include mine countermeasures, diving operations,
small-boat exercises, maritime security operations coordinated with
industrial and commercial shipping, unmanned underwater vehicle operations,
and port clearance operations.
"IMCMEX demonstrates the capability and co-operation of the international
community and is not about any one nation or group," said Commodore
William Warrender, Royal Navy, Combined Maritime Forces deputy commander
and leader of the exercise. "Our aim in IMCMEX 16 is to conduct
exercises with our partner nations that allow us to continue to develop
our interoperability and capability to ensure that we are ready to meet
potential challenges now and in the future."
The exercise runs through April 26. |
