# U.S., Oman, France and U.K. Commence Exercise Khunjar Haad

/ Published Feb. 23, 2017
MUSCAT, Oman, 
The U.S. Navy with the Royal Navy of Oman, the Royal Navy and French Marine Nationale kicked off the 22nd iteration of Exercise Khunjar Haad, an annual multilateral mine countermeasures (MCM) exercise in the Gulf of Oman, Feb. 19.                From left, Coastal patrol ship USS Monsoon (PC 4) and French Marine Nationale anti-air frigate FS Forbin (D620) participate sail side by side during exercise Khunjar Haad. Khunjar Haad is an annual, multilateral exercise conducted with the Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Navy and French Marine Nationale designed to develop the necessary skills to address threats to freedom of navigation and international commerce. USS Monsoon is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations designed to reassure allies and partners, preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce and enhance regional stability. (Photo by (Courtesy photo of Royal Navy))                            U.S., Oman, France and U.K. Commence Exercise Khunjar Haad                            From left, Coastal patrol ship USS Monsoon (PC 4) and French Marine Nationale anti-air frigate FS Forbin (D620) participate sail side by side during exercise Khunjar Haad. Khunjar Haad is an annual, multilateral exercise conducted with the Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Navy and French Marine Nationale designed to develop the necessary skills to address threats to freedom of navigation and international commerce. USS Monsoon is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations designed to reassure allies and partners, preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce and enhance regional stability. (Photo by (Courtesy photo of Royal Navy))            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Courtesy photo of Royal NavyVIRIN: 170219-N-N0146-0001B

Approximately 150 U.S. Sailors are participating in evolutions including gunnery exercises (GUNEX) to maintain Sailors’ readiness with onboard weapon systems; air defense exercises (ADEX) aiming to increase proficiency in air and missile defense; vertical on-deck rescue (VOD) exercises by helicopter to increase proficiency and time improvement during rescue operations; maritime interdiction operations; visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) operations to increase and maintain proficiency in boarding vessels that may harbor illegal weapons and drugs; and diving operations to promote efficiency underwater.

"Khunjar Haad is one of many exercises with the Royal Navy of Oman and other partner nations designed to test our Sailors with unique challenges in mine countermeasures. The level of multi-national integration demonstrated during this exercise is inspiring and is a testament to the hard work being done here," said Capt. Eric Wirstrom, commodore of Commander Task Force (CTF) 52. "These exercises strengthen our solid relationships and bring us together towards the shared goal of free flow of commerce."

The exercise continues to promote the sharing of knowledge and experiences between partner nations to improve tactical proficiencies while strengthening solid partnerships.

"It is a privilege to be part of Khunjar Haad," said Capt. Kim Watts, commander of U.K. Bay-class auxiliary landing ship dock RFA Lyme Bay (L3007). "It is important to continue learning and sharing knowledge with our partner nations through exercises to strengthen our mutual ability in addressing threats to the freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce."

Participating ships include U.S. Avenger-class MCM ship USS Dextrous (MCM 13) and coastal patrol ships USS Monsoon (PC 4) and USS Squall (PC 7); Royal Navy Daring-class air-defense destroyer HMS Daring (D32), Sandown-class MCM vessel HMS Bangor (M109), Hunt Class MCM vessel and HMS Middleton (M34), and Lyme Bay; Royal Navy of Oman Khareef-class Navy patrol vessel Al Shamikh (Q40), Al Batinah, and Al Bushra class patrol craft Al Bushra; and French Marine Nationale anti-air frigate FS Forbin (D620).

Also operating in the Gulf of Oman, U.S. Marines and Omani soldiers are participating in exercise Sea Soldier 17, led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and hosted by the Royal Army of Oman. The annual bilateral exercise aims to enhance communication and coordination between U.S. and Omani forces, build mutual warfighting capability and support long-term regional cooperation.
U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse comprises 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal, and the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.For further questions, please contact U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs Office at 011-973-1785-4562 or navcentpao@me.navy.mil.For more information, visithttp://www.navy.mil,http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, orhttp://www.twitter.com/usnavy.