World's Largest Naval Exercise Kicks Off in Persian Gulf

[webfact]

World's Largest Naval Exercise Kicks Off in Persian Gulf
BY GCAPTAIN

JORDAN: -- Being called the world’s largest naval exercise, this year’s International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) has just kicked off in the Persian Gulf. Participants include more than 6,500 personnel representing 44 nations from around the globe.

Led by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, the exercise consists of several phases, commencing with onshore training and communications. Participants will work together to plan operations and then execute at-sea mine countermeasure operations, maritime infrastructure protection and maritime security operations.

Commodore Keith Blount, Royal Navy, Combined Maritime Forces Deputy Command and IMCMEX lead details that “this IMCMEX will continue its focus on mine countermeasures, however, it has been broadened to include opportunities for ships’ crews around the world to conduct maritime security operations such as escorting and defending commercial shipping, as well as carrying out the drills required to protect maritime infrastructure, such as harbors and oil rig.”

Full story: http://gcaptain.com/worlds-largest-naval-exercise-kicks-persian-gulf/

-- gCaptain 2014-10-31

[David48]

There would be a fair bit of 'gazing' in then then ...

.

[rickirs]

Anybody has the list of countries involved?

[whatawonderfulday]

Absolute bullshit. the worlds largestt naval exercises ? for the youngsters just google, for the older ones amongst us it is incredulous that this crap is even news worthy

Edited November 1, 2014 by whatawonderfulday

[simple1]

Absolute bullshit. the worlds largestt naval exercises ? for the youngsters just google, for the older ones amongst us it is incredulous that this crap is even news worthy

It's claimed on the US Dept of the Navy website.

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=84148

Edited November 1, 2014 by simple1

[chuckd]

I would say June 6, 1944, was probably a larger naval exercise.

[AhFarangJa]

Anybody has the list of countries involved?

I can tell you for a fact that Bahrain and Saudi are involved......as I am on call here now..

[ABCer]

I wish the 44 Nations all the best. I hope Russians are also invited. If not - the problems with Somali Pirates might ensue. Who will rescue the brave ones?

[chuckd]

The home waters of the US 5th Fleet wouldn't be exactly conducive to a Somali pirate operation.

Too many armed vessels in the Arabian/Persian Gulf.

[ABCer]

Yes, I know. The pirates are the figment of my imagination. Apology.

[simple1]

I would say June 6, 1944, was probably a larger naval exercise.

Out of curiosity, in naval military parlance is operational deployment an 'exercise'?

[chuckd]

I would say June 6, 1944, was probably a larger naval exercise.

Out of curiosity, in naval military parlance is operational deployment an 'exercise'?

Unless you're trolling for a pedantic fight, just look it up and satisfy your curiosity.

Having said that, these exercises/deployments have been going on for years. A few years ago, I had to deliver one of my weapons techs to Bahrain to repair a malfunctioning piece of equipment. Drove him across the causeway at 0100 to the Bahrain Naval Base and dropped him off.

[chuckd]

Yes, I know. The pirates are the figment of my imagination. Apology.

I don't recall saying pirates did not exist. I said they would have a hard time existing in the Arabian/Persian Gulf because of the armed military vehicles floating around and the narrow confines of the Strait of Hormuz.

They seem to flourish in the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean.

Edited November 2, 2014 by chuckd

[ABCer]

 

Yes, I know. The pirates are the figment of my imagination. Apology.

I don't recall saying pirates did not exist. I said they would have a hard time existing in the Arabian/Persian Gulf because of the armed military vehicles floating around and the narrow confines of the Strait of Hormuz.

They seem to flourish in the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean.

 

Thanks for correction, chuckd. Apology. Got mixed up.

[Publicus]

I would say June 6, 1944, was probably a larger naval exercise.

Out of curiosity, in naval military parlance is operational deployment an 'exercise'?

Unless you're trolling for a pedantic fight, just look it up and satisfy your curiosity.

Having said that, these exercises/deployments have been going on for years. A few years ago, I had to deliver one of my weapons techs to Bahrain to repair a malfunctioning piece of equipment. Drove him across the causeway at 0100 to the Bahrain Naval Base and dropped him off.

Great work there Chief....did you get a Causeway Campaign award or some such....civilians just don't much realize how those kind of night time operations are indispensable.

This exercise is a deployment that is in fact an international miners convention which I would say is a good thing given that Tehran keeps threatening to string the Strait of Hormuz with mines to choke off the flow of oil from Kuwait and Iraq to include the Gulf States which are pretty much solid allies of the U.S, Bahrain perhaps most notably.

I wuz Army Infantry, eventually Btn S-1 before I escaped back into civilian life after 34 months assigned to the Military District of Washington (DC) which hasn't seen any action since the Battle of Bull Run. I got lotsa action however during National Secretaries Month for which i got a meritorious service medal. . Annually.

[chuckd]

I was involved in both Gulf Wars, one revolution and one civil war. Where were you teaching English then?

[Publicus]

I was involved in both Gulf Wars, one revolution and one civil war. Where were you teaching English then?

Well Chief I had a previous life with the Feds in the executive and in the legislative branches in Washington so thanks for your service over there and broadly speaking.

So what was it like serving under Gen Washington and also Gen Robert E. Lee besides?

I have absolute confidence in our Navy.

The U.S. Coast Guard on patrol there last week fired off a few 50 caliber rounds at an Iranian fishing boat that had showed but not fired a shoulder launcher, chasing off the Iranian boat.

There's also this.....

The Office of Naval Research over the weekend released video of tests conducted in August that showed five "drone" boats swarming a vessel that posed a threat to a Navy ship. "The U.S. Navy is unleashing a new era in advanced ship protection," the service says in the video.

One developer likened the robot boats to "guard dogs" that could swim around a warship and detect threats before they come within striking range. And like dogs, the robot boats actually think for themselves, with their software choosing the best route for each boat to confront a threatening vessel.

The drone boats could be armed to fire on adversaries, but fire control would come from a sailor on an accompanying warship.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/06/tech/innovation/navy-swarm-boats/index.html?iid=article_sidebar

It's good to see the Navy staying ahead of the bad guys that are out there in this dangerous world.

Edited November 3, 2014 by Publicus

[Scott]

I wuz Army Infantry, eventually Btn S-1 before I escaped back into civilian life after 34 months assigned to the Military District of Washington (DC) which hasn't seen any action since the Battle of Bull Run. I got lotsa action however during National Secretaries Month for which i got a meritorious service medal. alt=biggrin.png> . Annually.

So was that award screwed on your desk?

[Publicus]

I wuz Army Infantry, eventually Btn S-1 before I escaped back into civilian life after 34 months assigned to the Military District of Washington (DC) which hasn't seen any action since the Battle of Bull Run. I got lotsa action however during National Secretaries Month for which i got a meritorious service medal. alt=biggrin.png> . Annually.

So was that award screwed on your desk?

Well not exactly but there wuz one time I thought I myself was screwed.

I wuz on staff at Btn hdq in charge of assigning particular troops to certain kinds of ceremonies and one morning when I arrived at my desk the phone rang. I answered it and the caller wanted to know which ceremonies we had coming up that day.

So I said, "A Pentagon ceremony at 1000 hours and a Retreat Parade at 1600 led by the grand puba colonel himself."

The line went silent.

"Do you know who you are speaking to?" .

"No sir, I don't."

"This is the grand puba colonel you just so insubordinately referred to."

"Well, do you know who I am?"

"No," the colonel bellowed.

''Well thank goodness for that,'' I said as I hung up the phone.

Actually my Infantry ceremonial battalion in Washington did see prominent action during the Mexican American War (1846-48) which is when it got its distinguishing designation as "The Old Guard of the Army." Really, no bull, cross my heart.

Commanding General Winfield Scott sent the unit, the 3rd Inf Regiment forward to secure ground outside of Mexico City for the main Army force which was to arrive two days later. When we the regiment arrived at Chipulchipec Heights overlooking the city we it was fired down on from the Heights by Mexico Military Academy cadets which was all the Mexicans had left defending their capital.

We the regiment eventually ran out of ammo to become sitting ducks so it made a bayonet charge up the heights to seize it. When Gen Scott and the full Army forces arrived Mexico had no choice but to surrender.

Gen Scott gave the 3rd Inf Reg the distinction of leading the march into the conquered Mexican capital so when the general saw us 'em approaching the reviewing stand he said to his staff, "Gentlemen, take off your hats, here comes the Old Guard," which is how the regiment got the appellation that is still in everyday use in Washington and in the Army.

The old warhorse Gen Scott was older than Washington DC was so he apparently thought we the 3rd Inf Reg had won the war for him ..