An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | July 30, 2018

Complex Mine Warfare Training Complete in RIMPAC Southern California

By MC2 Curtis Spencer U.S. 3rd Fleet

SAN DIEGO, California -- The tactical free play phase of mine warfare operations in the Southern California (SOCAL) area of operations in support of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise finished, July 27.

The tactical free play phase is one of the five phases of the exercise, and the most complex training for participating units in mine warfare operations.

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Dave Welch, commander of Task Force (CTF) 177, served as RIMPAC’s mine warfare Commander. Welch also serves as Commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) and the Navy’s global mine warfare commander. SMWDC maintains the Navy’s operational mine warfare battle staff, maintaining the capability to stand up a mine warfare task force in all U.S. numbered fleet areas of operation.

“I am immensely proud of the work our RIMPAC Mine Warfare Task Force completed during the exercise to achieve national and international training objectives, and I am confident that the strong partnerships and increased capability we developed will ensure our mutual security and prosperity,” said Welch.

CTF 177 was comprised of 26 units with approximately 1,100 personnel representing the United States, Australia, Canada, England, Japan, the Netherlands and New Zealand. The task force completed advanced mine warfare operations during the exercise, neutralizing more than 50 training mines.

Five combined task groups (CTG) served within the task force to provide the commander a wide spectrum of surface, airborne, expeditionary, and underwater mine countermeasures (UMCM) capabilities. The Royal Australian Navy’s Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Squadron (CTG 177.1), Commander, Mine Countermeasures Squadron (CTG 177.2), USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) (CTG 177.3), U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT-W) (CTG 177.4), and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 led each of the task groups.

The mine warfare training operations were structured into five phases: staging and integration; force integration training; two simultaneous tactical phases including the tactical free play phase; and a debrief and refurbishment period. The objectives for the CTF 177 team included the assessment of mine countermeasure forces in confined waters and sea lines of communication.

CTF 177 operations in RIMPAC SOCAL were part of a number of firsts this year. It was the first time that a Royal New Zealand Navy commander led the UMCM effort in a RIMPAC exercise; the first operational, fleet testing of the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System and Airborne Mine Neutralization System ; the first year that MSRT-W participated in the SOCAL area of operations; and the first joint training between naval and merchant maritime experts in RIMPAC.

Twenty-five nations, 46 ships, five submarines, 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 27 to Aug. 2 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security of the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2018 is the 26th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
363,201
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With President Wesley Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 22, 2024 - Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout...

AUKUS Trilateral Statement
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 22, 2024 - The Honourable Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Australia; the Right Honourable Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom; and Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of Defense,...

U.S., India launch Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024
Courtesy Photo
March 21, 2024 - Indian and U.S. combined armed forces began Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024 with the arrival of amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25), March 18 and an opening ceremony March 19.This is the third time U.S. and...

USACE: Ensuring Safety Every Step of the Way
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) is the premier Department of Defense (DoD) military construction (MILCON) agent in the Pacific, providing facilities-related design and construction work in Japan for all military services and agencies. With over 60 years of experience in designing and constructing facilities in Japan, JED possesses the experience in Japanese standards and specifications, regulations, construction practices, maintenance requirements, and culture needed to ensure facilities are built with the utmost safety and professionalism. Photo by Charles Maib.
March 21, 2024 - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) is the premier Department of Defense (DoD) military construction (MILCON) agent in the Pacific, providing facilities-related design and construction work...

THAAD Battery in Guam Successfully Completes Table VIII Evaluation
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense launcher used by E-3 Air Defense Artillery THAAD Battery as part of their Table VIII certification in Dededo, Guam, March 13, 2024. The THAAD battery, equipped with a state-of-the-art missile defense system, is tasked with defending Guam against ballistic missile threats. (U.S. Army Photo by Maj. Trevor Wild)
March 21, 2024 - In a testament to readiness and operational excellence, Task Force Talon's E-3 ADA THAAD Battery conducted a Table VIII evaluation for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system stationed in Guam, March 11-15,...