South Korea and U.S. (ROK-US) navies conducted a joint mine warfare exercise off the coast of Pohang from April 7 to 15, officials announced on Wednesday.
This year’s training, marking its 10th iteration, brought together the Republic of Korea Navy’s (ROK Navy) 52nd Mine Warfare Flotilla and the U.S. Navy’s Mine Countermeasures Squadron 7. The exercise aimed to enhance the combined operational capabilities of both navies in mine warfare command and control, as well as the deployment of manned and unmanned mine countermeasure assets.
ROK Navy included the 3,000-ton mine layer Nampo (MLS-II), the 2,600-ton Wonsan (MLS-I), a 450-ton Mine Hunter Coastal (MHC), a 730-ton Mine Sweeper Hunter (MSH), the 3,200-ton submarine rescue ship Cheonghaejin (ASR-I), submarines, and an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team. The U.S. Navy contributed the 1,300-ton surface mine countermeasure (SMCM), mine countermeasures helicopter (MH-53E), and an expeditionary mine countermeasures unit.
During the exercise, the ROK-US allied forces conducted realistic mine warfare scenarios, including the deployment of surface and subsurface protective mines, mine detection and identification using minesweepers, minesweeping helicopters, and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), operation of minesweeping gear, mine neutralization with mine disposal vehicles (MDVs), and underwater mine detonation by EOD teams.
Colonel Lee Taek-seon, who commands the 52nd Mine Warfare Flotilla, emphasized that the training had enhanced their operational readiness and provided an opportunity to explore future advancements in mine warfare. He added that the unit remains committed to reinforcing its capabilities to protect key ports and maritime routes in times of crisis.