NAVCENT holds Mine Warfare symposium

Photo By Tracey Whitley | Vice Adm. Mark Fox, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, gives opening remarks during a Mine Warfare (MIW) symposium, Sept. 18. The two-day symposium brought 45 different organizations together to address capability and capacity within the MIW community. (Photo Petty Officer 2nd Class Tracey L. Whitley)  

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

09.30.2011

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Tracey L. Whitley

MANAMA, Bahrain - U.S. Naval Forces Central Command held a two-day Mine Warfare (MIW) symposium Sept. 18 and 19, which brought 45 different organizations together to discuss capability and capacity within the MIW community.

Hosted by Commander, Task Force 52 and Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command, the event focused on the planning and execution of operations to maintain the sea lines of communication in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility for friendly, military and commercial use.

"These talks are extremely important," said Vice Adm. Mark Fox, commander, NAVCENT. "We need to increase our local, U.S. and international interoperability in dealing with mine warfare; this symposium is key to developing personal relationships critical for effective communication and coordination."

Participants received presentations on mine warfare topics, including: MIW initiatives, mine counter-measures, effects, mine threat and exploitation, mining, resource strategy and maintenance.

Upon completion of the brief, attendees broke into working groups to focus on providing near term solutions in these areas.

The symposium concluded with the groups developing possible actions to address the challenges and providing strategic ways of increasing MIW capabilities.

NAVCENT is responsible for approximately 2.5 million square miles of area, including the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, parts of the Indian Ocean and 20 countries. U.S. 5th Fleet's mission is to conduct maritime security operations, defeat violent extremism and strengthen partner nations' maritime capabilities in order to promote security and stability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

• Date Taken: 09.30.2011
• Date Posted: 09.30.2011 00:17
• Story ID: 77799
• Location: MANAMA, BH