U.S. Navy, ROK Navy complete 2026 ROK-US Combined Mine Warfare Exercise

04 June 2026

From Lt. Matthew Cox, Commander, Task Force 77

POHANG, South Korea -- The U.S. Navy and the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) concluded the 2026 ROK-U.S. Combined Mine Warfare Exercise in the vicinity of Pohang, April 20-24, 2026.

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Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Unit FIVE Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures Company 3-1 (CTU 77.6) Sailors prepare to conduct joint reacquisition and identification dives alongside Republic of Korea (ROK) divers off the coast of Pohang, South Korea during the 2026 ROK-U.S. Combined Mine Warfare Exercise, April 24, 2026. The 2026 ROK-U.S. Combined Mine Warfare Exercise increases combined proficiency between the Republic of Korea Navy and the U.S. Navy through the exchange of tactics and techniques, while enhancing common bonds. The exercise takes place in U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Devon Goetz)

During the five-day exercise, U.S. Navy and ROKN units worked together to clear a route for ships through a simulated minefield. They utilized advanced mine hunting, detection, and neutralization capabilities, which included the underwater detonation of a simulated mine.

This Combined Mine Warfare Exercise is part of an annual series of exercises between the U.S. Navy and ROKN designed to increase proficiency in mine countermeasure operations. The partners continue to build upon and refine standardized processes and capabilities to seamlessly operate together based on shared understanding operating procedures.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit THREE Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures Company 3-1 (CTU 77.6) Sailors prepare to conduct joint reacquisition and identification dives alongside Republic of Korea (ROK) divers off the coast of Pohang, South Korea during the 2026 ROK-U.S. Combined Mine Warfare Exercise, April 24, 2026. The 2026 ROK-U.S. Combined Mine Warfare Exercise increases combined proficiency between the Republic of Korea Navy and the U.S. Navy through the exchange of tactics and techniques, while enhancing common bonds. The exercise takes place in U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Devon Goetz)

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit FIVE ExMCM Company 3-1 (CTU 77.6) prepare to conduct Mk16 dives alongside Republic of Korea (ROK) divers during the 2026 ROK-U.S. Combined Mine Warfare Exercise in Chinhae, South Korea, April 20, 2026. The 2026 ROK-U.S. Combined Mine Warfare Exercise increases combined proficiency between the Republic of Korea Navy and the U.S. Navy through the exchange of tactics and techniques, while enhancing common bonds. The exercise takes place in U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Explosive Ordinance Disposal Chief Nicholas Ray)

ROKN Mine Squadron (MINRON) 52 and U.S. Navy Commander, Task Force (CTF) 77 commanders partnered throughout the exercise to direct mine hunting tasks. This training allowed U.S. and ROKN participants to practice communicating and operating as a bilateral team while maximizing their cumulative mine hunting capability. U.S. Navy participants included personnel from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5 and staff assigned to CTF-77.

ROKN participants included Yangyang-class minehunter ROKS Namhae (MSH-575), Nampo-class minelayer ROKS Nampo (MLS-570), Cheonghaejin-class submarine rescue ship ROKS Cheonghaejin (ASR-21), two explosive ordnance disposal companies, and staff assigned to MINRON 52.

U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific.