SAN DIEGO (July 27, 2018) Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 14 conducted airborne mine countermeasure (MCM) operations during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in the Southern California (SOCAL) area of operations as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 177.
HM 14 delivered mine detection and airborne mine sweeping capabilities to the exercise. They were also able to use their MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters to support diving operations for multiple evolutions.
RIMPAC provided the opportunity for HM 14 to train and work with both U.S. and international partners in support of Commander, CTF 177. HM 14 participated in the exercise with USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCMRON) 3 and Mine Countermeasures Division (COMCMDIV) 31. They also supported international partners during the exercise including the Royal New Zealand Navy Clearance Diving Team, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, Royal Canadian Navy coastal defense vessel HMCS Whitehorse (MM 705) and Royal Netherlands Navy Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Unit during the exercise.
Twenty-five nations, 46 ships, five submarines, 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 27 to Aug. 2 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security of the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2018 is the 26th exercise in the series that began in 1971.