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Mineweeping ships to boost Gulf security

The USS Sentry,USS Devastator, USS Pioneer and USS Warriorwere moved to the US Navy’s 5^thFleet area of responsibility which covers 2.5 million square miles of water. The ships arrived on June 23.
This expanse of water has 20 countries with three critical choke points: the Strait of Hormuz, where 40 per cent of the world’s oil transits, the Suez Canal near Egypt and the Strait of Bab Al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
The ships are on a seven-month deployment with rotational crews, according to the US Navy.
Speaking toKhaleej Times, Lieutenant Colonel T. G. Taylor of the US Central Command, said CENTCOM had requested additional mine countermeasure assets to ‘‘support ongoing and contingency operations’’. He did not specify what the operations were, nor did he comment on future deployments. ‘The presence of assets in theatre fluctuates based on needs and requirements set by the combatant commander and approved by the Joint Staff and Secretary of Defence,’’ he said.
He said the US Central Command and the Navy continued to monitor and adjust their presence in the area to fulfil the requirements of maritime security operations. It would also enable engagements and cooperation with regional and coalition partners.
Tensions with Iran continue over its disputed nuclear programme.and EU sanctions against the regime come into force on July 1.
‘‘Additional assets bring increased capability and capacity to conduct multiple, diverse MCM operations across a greater area simultaneously, while also enhancing our ability to conduct maritime security operations. These systems are crucial to the security of the region’s waterways, so that commercial shipping and fishing can occur safely,’’ Taylor said.
allan@khalejtimes.com

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