U.S. Navy, Republic of Korea Navy conclude combined Maritime Mine Countermeasures Exercise 2026
The multi-day evolution brought together surface mine countermeasures vessels, expeditionary explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians, clearance diving teams, and deployable autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) detachments to hone combined mine warfare tactics and bolster interoperability across the maritime domain. MNMIWEX also included a shore phase Multilateral Mine Warfare Symposium where subject matter experts can exchange ideas and hold meetings together.
U.S. Navy participation included Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Chief (MCM 14), operating under Commander, Task Force (CTF) 77, alongside expeditionary mine countermeasures companies and diving detachments from CTF-75 (EOD Mobile Unit 5). ROK Navy forces included mine laying and hunting vessels from ROK Navy Mine Warfare and Salvage Flotilla 52, supported by specialized expeditionary clearance divers and underwater disposal teams from the ROK Navy Sea Salvage and Rescue Unit (SSU). Other nations participating include; Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Oman, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
“It is always an honor and a privilege to work with our partners and continue to build on our powerful relationships in the Mine Countermeasures community,” said U.S. Navy Capt. G. Scott Wells, Commander Task Force Seven-Seven. “We are proud to have participated in another successful multi-national interoperability event with our allies and partners, further increasing our MCM capacity and strengthening our overall capabilities.”
Throughout the exercise, combined forces executed integrated mine-hunting evolutions, harbor clearance and port break-in scenarios, shallow-water explosive ordnance disposal, and seabed surveys using unmanned underwater systems. These operations successfully demonstrated real-time tactical communications, shared surface-to-subsurface threat evaluation, and rapid environmental assessments.
“Through this Multilateral Mine Warfare Symposium, we were able to share operational experience and know-how with participating nations, reaffirming the importance of multi-lateral cooperation,” said Capt. Lee Geun-rok, 52nd Mine Warfare Squadron Commodore. “In the Multi-lateral Mine Warfare Exercise, we applied the strategic discussions from the symposium into the practical training, utilizing it as an opportunity to substantially enhance interoperability and combined operational execution capability in the field of mine warfare.”
Participating commanders integrated throughout the exercise to direct mine hunting, mine sweeping, and mine neutralization tasks for joint units. This training allowed all participating units to practice communicating and operating in a combined environment, while maximizing their collective mine countermeasures capability.
MNMIWEX 26 allows the U.S. Navy to increase combined proficiency with her allies and partners through the exchange of tactics and techniques while enhancing common bonds. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
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