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Minesweeping exercise to keep regional waters safe

The biggest naval minesweeping exercise in the region is not directed at any country, said the US Navy, which renewed its commitment to the Gulf countries, and said it would stand by its partners to protect commercial shipping in the region.

Speaking to Khaleej Times at the start of the 12-day International Mine Countermeasures Exercise involving more than 30 countries, the US Navy’s 5^th Fleet said threats to block the Strait of Hormuz will not resolve the ongoing crisis.
“The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway, and it is not helpful for any nation to suggest that it would attempt to restrict traffic through the strait,” said Lieutenant Greg Raelson of the 5^th Fleet based in Bahrain.
He said navies expected professional and responsible maritime behaviour when operating in international waters.
“Any deviation from such behaviour has a destabilising and intimidating effect within the region,” he said.
On whether the exercises would ratchet up tensions, the official said the US Central Command conducts many exercises in the region which are bilateral and multilateral. “Freedom of navigation through international waterways is critical to the international community and to nations in the region, including Iran,” he said.
Lt Raelson said the exercise uses a Violent Extremist Organisation or terrorist scenario to prepare for the possibility that mines or seaborne Improvised Explosive Devices can be used to interrupt freedom of navigation.
Navies of the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, France, Yemen, Jordan, New Zealand and Estonia and others are taking part in the drill. The UAE is not participating in the exercise. Naval forces will operate together in a series of at-sea manoeuvres, air, sea, and undersea forces will respond to simulated sea-mine attacks in international waters and clear maritime routes to restore freedom of navigation.
“This exercise is about mines and the international effort to clear them,” Vice Admiral John Miller, commander of the US Naval Forces Central Command, told officers assembled for the symposium at his fleet headquarters in Bahrain on Monday, Reuters reported.
“Represented here are the best of our individual countries’ efforts dedicated to securing the global maritime commons.”
“The cooperation of navies from around the world promises high tactical value for the ships, aircraft, and divers involved; while demonstrating international resolve in defending maritime security against potential threats,” according to Rear Admiral Kenneth Perry, Vice Commander, Naval Mine Anti-Submarine Warfare Command and Commander Task Force, who was quoted on Navy Live.
More than 500 ships transit the Strait of Hormuz from the Arabian Gulf to Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea and beyond.
About 300 of these ships are energy carriers, which in a typical week will transport about 100 million barrels of oil through the strait’s 2-mile wide outbound traffic lane to fuel economies around the globe.
Iran has threatened to block strait if attacked over its disputed nuclear programme. Westerns sanction against Teheran have increased tensions and the US has sent additional minesweeping ships which now number eight, and two aircraft carriers to the 5^th Fleet. Another carrier, the USS John C. Stennis is expected to arrive in the region late summer, four months ahead of schedule.
allan@khaleejtimes.com