U.S. Naval forces and South Korea Navy Conduct Multinational Mine Warfare Exercise 2025

BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA

10.30.2025

Courtesy Story

Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet   

Naval forces from the U.S., South Korea, and 15 partner and allied nations began Multinational Mine Warfare Exercise (MNMIWEX) 25 near Busan, South Korea, Oct. 31, 2025.

The annual exercise, hosted by the South Korean Navy, aims to enhance mine countermeasures (MCM) proficiency within a multinational force. Building upon subject matter exchanges that occurred in MNMIWEX 24, U.S. and Korean forces enhanced interoperability through MCM trainings involving undersea unmanned vehicles and command and control (C2) integration across the multilateral force. Commander, Task Force (CTF) 77 led U.S. MCM forces.

"Mine countermeasures is a vital skillset for any maritime nation to hone," said Capt. Peter Haynes, commander, CTF-77. "We are honored to work alongside our partners and allies to do our part to ensure the Indo-Pacific remains free and open."

Other MNMIWEX 25 participants include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. Explosive ordnance disposal(EOD) personnel from all nations participated to enhance interoperability for detection and disposal of undersea mines in a joint environment. Unmanned air and undersea vehicles were combined with the capabilities and personnel expertise of a multilateral force of EOD specialists in a series of exercises designed to leverage unmanned capabilities to dispose of modern sea mines.

CTF-77 is forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan. Subordinate units include the mine countermeasure ships USS Patriot (MCM 7), USS Pioneer (MCM 9), USS Warrior (MCM 10), and USS Chief (MCM 14), all based in Sasebo, and HM15, Detachment 3A in Pohang, ROK.

U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific.

• Date Taken: 10.30.2025
• Date Posted: 11.14.2025 00:55
• Story ID: 550538
• Location: BUSAN, KR