U.S. Naval Forces Join Global Coalition in South Korea for Dynamic Mine Warfare Drill

The Republic of Korea Navy recently orchestrated MNMIWEX 24, a major exercise aimed at honing mine countermeasures skills within a multilateral naval coalition. This year’s iteration saw representation from 19 countries and involved the participation of roughly 100 personnel, marking it as the largest exercise of its kind.

Capt. Antonio Hyde, commodore of Mine Counter Measures Squadron Seven, expressed appreciation for the collaborative effort. “I was grateful for the opportunity to work with our hosts, the ROK Navy, and our partner nations and allies,” he said. “This multinational training refines how we operate in a complex maritime environment to maintain open sea-lanes and freedom of navigation for all countries in the region.”

During the event, MCM forces from the U.S., Australia, Canada, and New Zealand boarded the ROKS Cheon Wang Bong. They collaborated with the USS Patriot to perform mine hunting tasks over the eight-day exercise at sea.

Operations onshore were managed from a multinational watch floor. This setup supported an integrated command structure, enhancing the interchangeability of participating forces and strengthening their ability to function cohesively.

Capt. Lee Taek-sun of the ROK Navy emphasized the significance of these efforts. “Through this exercise, we improve our abilities to carry out multinational mine operations to protect major ports and sea lines of communication from the complex threats of the enemy in case of emergency,” he remarked.

Participants hailed from a diverse range of nations, including the United States, Republic of Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, and several others, reinforcing international cooperation and readiness.

Located in the U.S. 7th Fleet’s operational area, this exercise reflected the fleet’s commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region in collaboration with global allies and partners.