RIMPAC 2016: USN hones interoperability with partner countries in 'most complex' MCM drill

An explosive ordnance disposal technician jumps from an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter during the multilateral MCM exercise at 'RIMPAC' 2016. Source: US Navy

By:Wording OD.

The US Navy (USN) has concluded a multilateral exercise that aims to improve its mine countermeasures (MCM) interoperability with partner navies.

The exercise, which took place in and around waters off Southern California over four weeks, was conducted as part of the US Pacific Fleet-hosted Rim of the Pacific ('RIMPAC') 2016 maritime exercise.

Partner services in the drill included the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), the German Armed Forces, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the Mexican Navy (Armada de México), and the Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile).

In its statement, the USN described the MCM drill as the service's "most complex mine warfare exercise" given the number of participating services, and the inaugural deployment of a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship, USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), as a forward staging base for the multinational forces.

In addition to that MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters - airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) derivatives of the CH-53E Super Stallion - conducted deck landing qualifications on Pearl Harbor 's flight deck as part of the exercises.

"These firsts during 'RIMPAC' [Southern California] 2016 provided a distinct and unique environment and experience for participants", said the USN.

"What was great about this exercise is that the forces of multiple nations came together to execute a series of very complicated evolutions and did so in a seamless and timely manner", said Commander David Burke of the USN's Task Force 177.

In total the participating services detected and disposed a total of 77 mines over the course of 78 operational dives, 300 flight hours, and 77 autonomous underwater vehicle operations.

"RIMPAC' 2016 ran from 30 June to 4 August and involved 45 ships, five submarines, more than 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel from 27 countries.

Source: Jane's Defense.