[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence photo] ROK-US Warships Engaged in Mine Clearance

The Republic of Korea and United States navies conducted a joint mine warfare exercise in the waters east of Pohang from the 1st to the 9th of last month.The exercise involved six vessels from the ROK Navy, including the mine-laying ship Nampo (MLS-II), two aircraft such as the maritime patrol aircraft (P-3) and maritime helicopter (UH-60), three U.S. Navy ships including the expeditionary sea base ship USS Miguel Keith (ESB), and two mine countermeasure helicopters (MH-53).

The ROK and U.S. navies jointly commanded the exercise from the USS Miguel Keith, which participated for the first time, enhancing combined mine warfare command and control capabilities. The participating forces and personnel conducted various drills including mine laying, detection, and removal, as well as logistics support training, helicopter landing and takeoff qualification evaluations, and damage control exercises, cultivating operational capabilities to protect key ports and maritime traffic routes in times of emergency.