An MH-53E Sea Dragon assigned to the “Blackhawks” of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 15 embarked the expeditionary sea-base platform ship USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) for the first time in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations for interoperability training, Oct. 28-Nov. 7.
The training focused on improving airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) capability and interoperability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility (AOR).
Lewis B. Puller is capable of supporting a wide variety of missions including crisis response, counter-piracy operations, maritime security operations and humanitarian aid/disaster relief. By embarking HM 15, Lewis B. Puller will add the airborne MCM mission to its expanding repertoire.
U.S. 5th Fleet’s Task Force 52 Deputy Commander, Capt. Andy Lamb of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy, visited the Puller to observe the training.
“Ensuring maritime access for the free flow of trade is what mine countermeasures is about,” said Lamb. “The integration of HM-15 with Puller is a key component of this and demonstrates first-class versatility and readiness.”
The airborne aspect of mine countermeasures is one of the three areas that support the MCM triad. In addition to shipboard and expeditionary MCM, airborne MCM helps ensure stability and security in the region’s three critical chokepoints. Reoccurring training opportunities ensure that Task Force 52 is prepared to handle any potential threats to the free flow of commerce.
The expeditionary sea-base platform supports Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51, 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s diverse missions that include crisis response, airborne mine countermeasures, counter-piracy operations, maritime security operations and humanitarian aid/disaster relief missions while enabling TF 51/5 to extend its expeditionary presence in the world’s most volatile regions.
