Oman-led naval exercise with France, UK, US concludes
Senior officials from Oman, the UK and the US have discussed ways to strengthen regional maritime security cooperation between their respective navies. (Photo: US Navy)
Exercise Khunjar Hadd focused on mine countermeasures, explosive ordnance disposal, maritime interdiction, and other combined naval operations.
Naval forces from France, the UK and the US concluded a weeklong maritime exercise in and off the coast of Oman on 11 May.
The Omani-led five-day Khunjar Hadd aimed to boost the forces' interoperability and strengthen relationships between the participating countries.
It focused on mine countermeasures, explosive ordnance disposal, maritime interdiction and other combined naval operations.
The US 5th Fleet expeditionary mine countermeasures unit participated with crew members from the mine countermeasures ship USS Dextrous (MCM 13) and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
The RN's Capt Derek McKnight, deputy commander of Task Force 52, which oversees the US 5th Fleet's mine countermeasures mission in the Middle East, said: ‘Training alongside the incredible forces of Oman’s Royal Navy has been an invaluable experience for our aircraft, ships and divers.
'I have no doubt that opportunities such as this increase our effectiveness and enable us to achieve shared objectives.’
Senior officials from Oman, the UK and the US have also discussed ways to strengthen regional maritime security cooperation between their respective navies.
The US 5th Fleet’s area of operations includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Strait of Bab al Mandeb.
More from Training
-
![Cubic tailors mortar simulator for the US Army]()
Cubic tailors mortar simulator for the US Army
The company’s mortar trainer received improvements based on soldier’s feedback.
-
![Saab expands footprint in the US]()
Saab expands footprint in the US
The company will operate in two new locations in the coming years to better support US services.
-
![How terrain management capabilities can improve military training]()
How terrain management capabilities can improve military training
This type of tool provides more realistic training easing the incorporation of new scenarios that accurately represent the threats of the battlefield.
-
![I/ITSEC 2024: Australian Army approaches second phase of countermining training]()
I/ITSEC 2024: Australian Army approaches second phase of countermining training
The Engineering Corps has been conducting individual instruction using FLAIM Systems’ Sweeper and should start collective deployments in 2025.
-
![I/ITSEC 2024: Zeiss introduces Velvet 4K SIM projector for night flight simulation]()
I/ITSEC 2024: Zeiss introduces Velvet 4K SIM projector for night flight simulation
The next-generation platform is motion-compatible and can be used in OTW and NVG applications.
-
![I/ITSEC 2024: Saab introduces UAV live training capability]()
I/ITSEC 2024: Saab introduces UAV live training capability
The system can be used to prepare soldiers for both drone offensive operations and CUAS missions.
