Mine countermeasures operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom were an unqualified success. The presence of US Naval forces in the northern Arabian Gulf prior to the outbreak of hostilities precluded Iraq's opportunity to sow mines in that area. Early Special Operations Forces and Naval Special Warfare presence in the Khor Abd Allah (KAA) waterway captured a number of cleverly disguised Iraqi minelayers before they could sow their mines, and a well-organized and equipped team of US, UK, and Australian minesweeping and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel successfully cleared mines in the KAA, thus allowing the early provision of humanitarian aid through the port of Umm Qasr.

In the Beginning
Mine Countermeasures Squadron 3, serving as the combined task group commander, commenced mine countermeasures (MCM) operations within 12 hours of the start of combat operations ashore. The Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron flew sidescan sonar surveys of the KAA and conducted magnetic and acoustic sweep operations while fighting continued a few miles to the west in Umm Qasr.

The surface MCM ships started up the KAA while fighting was in progress on their starboard flank - Royal Navy ships were conducting naval gunfire support for operations on the Al Faw peninsula in close proximity to surface MCM ship positions.

Likewise, underwater MCM forces flowed into Umm Qasr and began dive operations while US and Royal Marines were suppressing counterattacks in the port area. Since the USS Inchon, the Navy's only mine warfare command and support ship, had been decommissioned in July 2002, airborne mine countermeasures operations were conducted from the USS Ponce, serving as the interim mine warfare command ship.

Surface mine countermeasures forces in the Persian Gulf consisted of the four US minesweepers permanently stationed in Bahrain (the USS Ardent, Cardinal, Dextrous, and Raven) and six UK minesweepers (HMS Blyth, Bangor, Brocklesby, Grimsby, Ledbury, and Sandown) and their mother ship, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary landing ship logistic Sir Bedivere, which had deployed several months earlier in anticipation of operations.

Using data from the helicopter sidescan sonar surveys of the KAA, our ten coalition ships proceeded slowly up the waterway, investigating each contact. Water conditions were challenging for mine-hunting operations. The water was relatively shallow, acoustic conditions were poor because of a muddy bottom, near-bottom visibility was limited to nonexistent, and currents made diving operations and mine neutralization vehicle operations extremely difficult.

Once a minelike object was located precisely and classified by means of sonar, ROVs or EOD divers were used to investigate and plant explosive charges on the mine if the situation called for it.

In the meantime, US forces interdicted several uniquely configured Iraqi minelayers while US and Royal Marines secured the port of Umm Qasr, allowing US, UK, and Australian EOD personnel to start clearing the port from the landward side.

There was outstanding cover and deception by the Iraqi Navy. Only prompt action by the naval surface force commander allowed us to interdict more than 100 mines before the Iraqis put them in the water.

Divers, Dolphins, and AUVs
Navy Special Clearance Team 1, established in October 2002 from the experimental Very Shallow Water detachment, operated from the USS Gunston Hall before relocating ashore in Umm Qasr. This team consisted of Navy SEALS, Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance divers, EOD divers, marine mammals, and the Navy's first operational unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) detachment. The team's wartime role is to covertly prepare near-shore areas for amphibious assaults, so port clearance was well within its capabilities.

The port clearance was the result of outstanding cooperation between US, UK, and Australian EOD personnel, plus Navy Special Clearance Team 1 and its dolphins and UUVs. Reports of this first wartime deployment of the Remus AUV system indicate that it proved invaluable in conducting surveys in the vicinity of Umm Qasr.

In addition to the publicized mine clearance operations in the northern Arabian Gulf, Mine Countermeasures Squadron 2 deployed to the Mediterranean with the USS Chief, Devastator, Scout, and Sentry, a detachment of MH-53s from HM-15, and several EOD detachments, embarking on the USS Cleveland to provide surface, airborne, and underwater mine countermeasures capability in the vicinity of the Suez, ensuring continued access to this vital sea line of communications.

A Job Well Done
Mine hunting and clearing is slow, tedious, and dangerous work, particularly in littoral areas with challenging environmental conditions. The overall coalition mine countermeasures operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom were successful because of the training and dedication of our people, coupled with having the right equipment at their disposal.