Mine countermeasures ship USS Gladiator (MCM 11) is scheduled to return to homeport after participating in the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) April 4-26.
IMCMEX featured international naval and civilian maritime forces from more than 30 nations and spanning six continents.
Participants trained together across the Middle East, focused on maritime security from the port of origin to the port of arrival and included scenarios ranging from mine countermeasures, infrastructure protection and maritime security operations in support of civilian shipping.
Gladiator’s contribution to IMCMEX involved surveying approximately 100 miles of ocean floor in search of training mines. These surveys were conducted with HMS Chiddingfold and HMS Penzance under a task force led by the Royal Australian Navy. Gladiator rigged and streamed two different minesweeping configurations, practiced maritime security with USCGC Maui and USS Hurricane, and replenished stores alongside RFA Cardigan Bay.
Gladiator was designed to detect and counter several types of mines in many different types of environments using a diverse set of MCM systems. During IMCMEX the ship was able to demonstrate its wide variety of capabilities.
“We truly enjoyed the opportunity to exercise our combat systems to find and neutralize mines,” said Lt. Cmdr. Francisco Garza , commanding officer of Gladiator. “The practice provided by IMCMEX is crucial for seamless teamwork in the future.”
Image: US Navy