The UK Mine Countermeasures Force has passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
Maritime security operations and reassurance to the merchant community is one of their many roles.
The force closes in ahead of sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. Maritime security operations and reassurance to the merchant community is one of our many essential roles. @HMSBangor @HMSMiddleton #oneforce #maritimesecurity pic.twitter.com/H4EG4UGgAs
— Commander UK Mine Countermeasures Force (@CommanderUKMCMF) January 3, 2024
Recently, forces from the Royal Navy, U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force completed a weeklong large-scale mine countermeasures exercise in the Arabian Gulf. The exercise, called Neptune’s Kilt, aimed to strengthen interoperability among U.S. and UK forces in mine hunting operations.
The ships included HMS Middleton (M34), HMS Bangor (M109) and RFA Cardigan Bay (L3009) from the UK, as well as guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) from the United States.
“This exercise has enabled us to increase our proficiency in mine countermeasures and enhance the integration of our tactics from the air and sea,” said Royal Navy Capt. Derek McKnight, deputy commander for U.S. 5th Fleet’s mine countermeasures task force, Task Force 52.
“As a combined U.S.-UK task force, it is an honor and a pleasure to work closely together.”
Just wondering if one of these ships was hit , damaged (or even destroyed) by a missile attack would it result in the resignation of the defence minister, whose remit it is to ensure the British armed forces are fit for purpose or will the Yes man of a Cephalopod (spineless) in place ink the discussion and scuttle up some dark wet hole for a little warmth and security
I doubt he would go. He will blame the navy saying he’s given everything required and is building new frigates.
Unless rishi has a replacement lined up he won’t push him either.
We are starting to see why mr Wallace checked out before the incoming issues started. He knew what was coming over the coming years and with no more budget increases didn’t want to stay through the bad times.
Agreed
To be fair to Wallace, if I went and told Treasury what I needed, and then they gave me half of it and told me not to ask for anymore, then I’d probably resign in protest too.
We do seem to be speaking very loudly and carrying a small stick in term of the Royal Navy at the moment. There a good pipe line of equipment programs, but it is the current lack of ships and personal were we are suffering
Deem this to be a valuable formation and exercise. Fully anticipate Iran mining Strait of Hormuz, and potentially, access path to the Red Sea as a gray zone warfare measure prior to initiation of open conflict.
Mines are a nightmare to deal with. Iran has lots of little boats that can drop them and little subs that can put them sneakily were they want them.
Question would be how much would it cost Iran shutting down ship trade from its coast? Can it keep some useful ports mine free and still have an income?
A war is hopefully the last thing Iran actually wants and is happy enough getting other people to do its donkey work. It wouldn’t be an easy war on anyone involved
MS wrote: “”A war is hopefully the last thing Iran actually wants and is happy enough getting other people to do its donkey work. It wouldn’t be an easy war on anyone involved”” I have to laugh, currently reading book 17 of 18 of a sci fi series (Empire Rising by D J Holmes) Set around 500 years in the future it reimagines the 18th and 19th century into the future with national empires in space (Indian, US, Russia, Chinese, Argentine , French and of course the UK) Our hero James Summerville finds himself banished into space on some dreary survey… Read more »
I started that series but could not get past the first book, sound like it got a lot better.
Nothing wrong with trashy military sci-fi, my favourite genre.
Did you ever read The Lost Fleet? That’s my favourite in class, it’s a bit American but all the warships have RN classic names.
Jim wrote: “”I started that series but could not get past the first book, sound like it got a lot better.”” The author has become much better at knocking out a good story, that said, he has started knocking out more tropes such as the star trek ones where the good guys faced with a string of bad luck win the day with a roll of sticky black maskers and I’ve started seeing the linear direction he is heading down. But still a solid set of books and to be honest I usually detest books longer than a set of… Read more »
Never did I think when I came to this site that comment threads would be used for book recommendations, good on you Farouk!
I’ll check out Koban thanks
When you have finished with the sci fi I can recommend Conflict, by David Petraeus and Andrew Roberts. It is an analysis of every conflict between 1945 and the present, Co written by a retired General and a Historian. I have just finished the section on Vietnam which is much more forensic than Hastings recent book on the same subject. It is brutally honest as to how wars are won and lost, and there are lessons in it for today.
I thought I did a bit of reading on my Kindle! Two kindles Farouk!
I will take a change of direction with your reading list and do some sci fi again Thanks
Just finished the complete Jack Reacher 28 books and a lot of naval fiction including CS Forester and Patrick O’Brian
There is a distinct possibility that Israel will bring warfare to Iran’s stoop/doorstep. This may occur either as a consequence of current conflict, or more probably when Iran announces initial nuclear capability (or the Mossad/CIA/MI-6 independently confirm weapon status). 🤔😳
No way we are going to war with Iran without the USA and I can’t image what Iran would have to do to get sleepy joe or The Donald to declare war on them.
Attacking US forces
Blocking sea lanes with their proxies
Building Nuclear weapons
Shooting down US drones in international territory
These are all things they have done in the past few years with zero response.
We are a long way from the Reagan White House and operation praying mantis.
Your comment indicates so clearly the truth without.
The current batch of leaders appear to be quite content to mouth off at Israel bearing the brunt of Iran and its proxies without doing the necessary.
The horse is chomping at the bit to leave through the stable door and at which point as per usual the price to be paid in ever increasing lives lost instead of acting NOW.
If you have definitive evidence that Iran has produced functional nuclear weapons, please contact the Israeli Embassy in London. Believe they have an abiding interest in Iran’s nuclear weapons status, and will act accordingly.