US Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force conduct mine warfare exercise.

The U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) conducted Mine Warfare Exercise (MIWEX) 3JA 2021 off the coast of southeastern Japan in late November.
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USS Chief (MCM 14) and ships of the JMSDF Mine Warfare Force sail together off Miyazaki, Japan, during 3JA Mine Warfare Exercise (MIWEX), 2021, Nov. 22 (Picture source: JMSDF)

MIWEX 3JA is part of an annual series of exercises between the U.S. Navy and JMSDF designed to increase proficiency in mine countermeasure operations between the two forces. During the six-day exercise, participants worked together to clear a simulated minefield using unit-level mine warfare tactics to include mine hunting, detection, and neutralization.

Capt. Scott Hattaway, commodore of Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCMRON) 7, is looking forward to working with the JMSDF. “I am proud to be working with our Japanese partners to improve our interoperability and proficiency in MCM operations."

JMSDF Mine Warfare Force and MCMRON 7 commanders work together throughout the exercise to direct mine-hunting tasks for U.S. and JMSDF units.

“This training allows all the units to practice communicating and operating in a combined environment and learn to maximize their cumulative mine hunting capability. They will increase their tactical and operating proficiency while strengthening allied bonds between U.S. and JMSDF MCM assets," said Hattaway

Eighteen ships from the JMSDF Mine Warfare Force participated, including a minesweeper tender, two minesweepers, and fifteen mine hunters, supported by two mine countermeasures helicopters and multiple embarked Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units.

U.S. forces included the staff from MCMRON 7, EOD Mobile Unit (EODMU) Mine Countermeasures Company 1-3, USS Warrior (MCM 10), USS Chief (MCM 14) and Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) Fourteen, Detachment 2A. Approximately 300 U.S. personnel participated.

MCMRON 7 is forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan, and consists of USS Patriot (MCM 7), USS Pioneer (MCM 9), USS Warrior (MCM 10), USS Chief (MCM 14), and HM-14 Detachment 2A.