Royal Navy warships join operation with US Navy in the Gulf

Two British minehunters and a pair of frigates combined forces with a couple of US Navy ‘mine hunter-killers’ to tackle the latest war game in the Strait of Hormuz.

Both navies have a permanent presence in the region, which is responsible for one-sixth of the world’s oil and a third of its liquid natural gas.

Operating from bases in Bahrain, the military forces keep the critical trade routes free of underwater explosives.

HMS Shoreham and Portsmouth-based HMS Brocklesby worked with their American counterparts USS Gladiator and USS Dextrous during the two-day training exercise.

They were shadowed by Type 23 frigates HMS Montrose and HMS Argyll, who provided protection for the smaller and less heavily-armed minehunters.

The exercise began with the minehunters working together to clear a corridor through a mock minefield.

Shoreham investigated 40 ‘suspicious’ objects with her Seafox mine disposal system – a robot submersible which can hunt out and destroy a mine – which Shoreham did on three occasions.

Petty Officer (Mine Warfare Specialist) Grant Mallion, Shoreham’s minehunting director, said: ‘The exercise was also an excellent chance to prove our ability to work as part of a combined task group.’

That group then showed its ability to defend itself against a fast-moving simulated surface threat before facing an aerial threat.

HMS Argyll choreographed the response and provided protection with her 4.5in main gun, while her Wildcat helicopter buzzed overhead.

‘The exercise has again demonstrated the close relationship between the US Navy and Royal Navy, and the versatility of these capable ships and their crews,’ said Lieutenant Commander Tim ‘Castro’ Castrinoyannakis, HMS Argyll’s operations officer – and also a qualified minewarfare and clearance diving officer who used to serve in Shoreham.

‘Standing together, ready and prepared for any tasking or contingency it has been a great opportunity to reassure the maritime community of our commitment to ensuring security and stability in the region.’

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