From Christopher P. Cavas, Defense News:  British and American forces have long cooperated in a variety of endeavors, but here in the Arabian Gulf, where both navies maintain sizable mine countermeasures forces, the bonds are especially strong against a common enemy: the sea mine. . . .

Four U.S. Avenger-class minesweepers are permanently based in Bahrain, complemented since last year by an additional two deployed from San Diego. Two more that had been operating here were sent home in early March. The ships are aided by minesweeping MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15.

The British also base four mine countermeasures ships, two Hunt-class minesweepers and two Sandown-class minehunters. The Royal Navy has continually stationed minesweepers in the gulf since 1992, while the U.S. has maintained a permanent minesweeping presence here for almost that long. . . .

The two nations also are developing a command structure for the mine ships here.

The standing Surface Mine Countermeasures Commander (SMCMC) has been used periodically for mine exercises, but negotiations are ongoing to make it a permanent position, reporting to the U.S. commander of Combined Task Force 52 (CTF 52). . . .

The command structure will get another tryout in May during the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise. More than two dozen nations are expected to participate in the three-week exercise, including two French minesweepers transported by heavy-lift ship to the region. (photo: British Ministry of Defense)

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