# International Militaries Conclude Mine Countermeasures Exercise

/ Published Sept. 28, 2012

120920-N-ZZ999-008 GULF OF OMAN(Sept. 20, 2012) (From left to right) RFA Cardigan Bay, USS Sentry (MCM 3), HMS Diamond, and USS Devastator (MCM 6) transit in formation in the Gulf of Oman. The coalition force was operating in support of International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) 2012 as part of Task Force South. IMCMEX 12 includes navies from more than 30 countries whose focus is to promote regional security through mine countermeasure operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr Micah Murphy/Not Released)

120922-N-LQ799-220 U.S. FIFTH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Sept. 22, 2012) Mineman 3rd Class Joseph Gibson, left, classifies contacts on the AN/SQQ-32 Sonar system from the Combat Information Center aboard mine countermeasures ship USS Warrior (MCM 10). Warrior is participating in the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise which includes navies from more than 30 countries focusing to promote regional security through mine countermeasure operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Warrior is assigned to Commander, Task Force 52 supporting mine countermeasure operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Lewis Hunsaker/Released)

120925-N-LQ799-280 U.S. FIFTH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Sept. 25 2012) Mine countermeasures ship USS Ardent (MCM 12) transits away from Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) Interim (I) USS Ponce after completing a replenishment-at-sea during phase two of the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise. IMCMEX 12 includes navies from more than 30 countries focusing to promote regional security through mine countermeasures operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Lewis Hunsaker/Released)

U.S. FIFTH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Sept. 23, 2012) Divers carry out safety stops from a 50m ascent during International Mine Countermeasures Exercise. IMCMEX 12 includes navies from more than 30 countries focusing to promote regional security through mine countermeasure operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Royal New Zealand Navy Photo)

120919-N-XO436-073 GULF OF ADEN (September 19, 2012) – British Royal Navy Diver Petty Officer Grahame Sheppard, left, and British Royal Navy Diver Chief Petty Officer Alan Knowles tests GPS for a REMUS 100 Sidescan SONAR, an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), on the boat deck aboard amphibious dock-landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44). Gunston Hall is participating in the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise 2012(IMCMEX 12). IMCMEX 12 includes navies from more than 30 countries focusing to promote regional security through mine countermeasures operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Sunderman/ RELEASED)

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Sept. 21, 2012) French Servicemembers participate in a coordinated defense exercise in support of International Mine Countermeasures Exercise 2012, aboard Afloat Forward Staging Base Interim USS Ponce (AFSB(I) 15). IMCMEX 12 includes navies from more than 30 countries focusing to promote regional security through mine countermeasures operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy Captain Anastasia Quanbeck/Released)

120917-N-SE516-003 MANAMA, Bahrain (Sept. 17, 2012) Senior Japanese Navy representatives listen to a demonstration about an autonomous underwater vehicle at phase one of the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise. IMCMEX 12 includes navies from more than 30 countries whose focus is to promote regional security through mine countermeasure operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communications Specialist Joshua L. Treadwell/Released)

120916-N-LQ799-001 MANAMA, Bahrain (Sept. 16, 2012) Vice Adm. John Miller, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces welcomes those in attendance to phase one of the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise. IMCMEX 12 includes navies from more than 30 countries whose focus is to promote regional security through mine countermeasure operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Lewis Hunsaker/Released)

TAMPA, Florida (September 27, 2012) — Militaries from more than 30 nations yesterday concluded the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise 2012 (IMCMEX 12) in closing ceremonies at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command headquarters, Manama, Bahrain. The ceremonies marked the achievements of the multinational  exercise – the largest of its kind in the region – bringing together approximately 3,000 personnel from 33 countries in exercise activities spanning twelve days and 1,000 miles in the region, and combining existing and new capabilities.

IMCMEX 12 successfully demonstrated the will of the international community to preserve freedom of navigation in the region, with exercise operating activities led by separate nations in three of the region’s strategic waterways: the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Gulf of Aden. IMCMEX 12 proved the ability to conduct command and control multiple capabilities, including ships, unmanned underwater vehicles, helicopters, dive and EOD (explosive ordinance disposal) teams in the three operating areas; it expanded the capabilities of the afloat staging base concept and explored emerging technologies of unmanned underwater vehicles.

During the two-week exercise, participants attended a three-day symposium, followed by afloat exercises to develop and refine international mine countermeasures (MCM) operations in multiple locations across the region.

The symposium focused on the international mine countermeasures (MCM) environment and issues, alongside industry displays of the latest MCM technologies. The afloat phase focused on MCM command-and-control and MCM support activities; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support; maritime security operations; visit, board, search and seizure (VSSB) events; maritime critical infrastructure protection, explosive ordnance disposal; maritime domain awareness and force protection.

Exercises like IMCMEX 12 expand levels of cooperation, enhance mutual maritime capabilities and promote long-term regional stability and interoperability between U.S. and international partners, while better preparing the international community to address disruptions to freedom of navigation and international commerce. IMCMEX 12 is intended to be the first of a recurring series of similar exercises.

Questions about the exercise may be directed to USNAVCENT Public Affairs at 973-1785-4562 or via email at navcentpao@me.navy.mil.  More information and photos from the exercise can be found on the USNAVCENT website, at http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/index.htm