US Navy, JMSDF in mine warfare drill off Japan February 9, 2021, by Bojan Lepic
The US Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) began a mine warfare exercise off the coast of southwestern Japan on 28 January 2021.
The exercise, named Mine Warfare Exercise (MIWEX) 1JA, is part of an annual series of exercises between the U.S. Navy and the JMSDF designed to increase proficiency in mine countermeasure operations between the two forces.
During the nine-day exercise, participants work together to clear a route for ships through a simulated minefield using unit-level mine warfare tactics to include mine hunting, detection, and neutralization.