World’s Largest 30-Nation Maritime Exercise Begins in Middle East – US Navy
SputnikNews.com
04.04.2016
The largest maritime exercise, dubbed the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise, which involves 30 nations from six continents, has begun in the Middle East, the US Navy said in a press release on Monday.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The exercise, led by US Naval Forces Central Command, will be conducted in the Arabian Gulf, Sea of Oman, Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, according to the US Navy.
“Through the course of this exercise, participants will train to execute a wide spectrum of defensive operations designed to protect international commerce and trade consisting of mine countermeasures, maritime security operations and maritime infrastructure protection,” the press release stated.
US Naval Forces Central Command commander Kevin Donegan underscored the importance of the exercise for the region.
“This region provides a strong training opportunity for nations worldwide as three of the six major maritime chokepoints in the world are here: the Suez Canal, the Strait of Bab Al-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz,” he noted.
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