Japanese and United States maritime forces recently completed a series of three exercises to clear waterways of simulated explosive hazards, both floating and on the seabed, using tactics such as mine hunting, detection and neutralization. The annual training promotes a safe and secure flow of commercial and military shipping in peacetime and crisis.
The trio of Mine Warfare Exercises (MINEX) took place off Japan’s coast in January and February, July, and November 2025. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s (JMSDF) Mine Warfare Force and the U.S. Navy Mine Countermeasures Group 7 deployed ships, aircraft and personnel. Each iteration builds on lessons from prior drills, enhancing proficiency in mine countermeasures.
U.S. personnel also joined forces from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Philippines and the Republic of Korea for a mine countermeasures exercise in South Korea in October and November 2025. Training focused on detecting and disposing of undersea mines.
Maritime mines not only can damage ships but also can force vessels or fleets to avoid an area or conduct countermeasures that disrupt their missions.
The final MINEX, near the port city of Aburatsu in southern Japan, included a JMSDF frigate, four ocean minesweepers, two minesweeper tenders, 11 coastal minesweepers, two mine countermeasure helicopters and explosive ordnance disposal specialists. Sailors from the U.S. Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5 and Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 joined the U.S. Marine Corps Littoral Explosive Ordnance Neutralization unit, which has expertise deploying uncrewed underwater vehicles.
“Strong alliances are critical in today’s world, perhaps more so now than they have ever been,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Peter W. Haynes, commodore of Mine Countermeasures Group 7. “U.S. and JMSDF commitment to interoperability and combined training ensures we can respond effectively to mine threats in the Indo-Pacific, keeping our forces ready together.”
The JMSDF also hosted Iwo-To Live MINEX with U.S. forces in June 2025 to test countermeasure tactics, techniques and procedures against live mines off the coast of the island also known as Iwo Jima. The underwater topography presented challenges for advanced training in hydrographic surveying, underwater navigation and demolition — “a rare opportunity to test those tactics against live, unarmed naval mines in a dynamic underwater environment,” the U.S. Navy stated.