During Valiant Shield in June 2024, the United States Pacific Fleet executed the first major joint mining exercise (MINEX) in 50 years. The MINEX showcased the U.S.’s advanced and diverse capabilities in cross-domain maritime mining, emphasizing quick deployment and multiplatform flexibility. The resurgence of mining operations within the U.S. military marks a strategic pivot to a naval warfare capability long underemphasized.
The exercise in and around Guam was the largest mine assembly event since 1973, with over 100 mines assembled by teams at the Navy Munitions Command Pacific East Asia Division in Guam. It tested not only the ability to assemble and deploy mines but also interservice cooperation, demonstrating the seamless integration of military branches. Employing numerous all-domain capabilities reflected the versatility of modern mining operations. F/A-18 Hornet aircraft, B-1 bombers and an MQ-9 Reaper aerial drone dropped quick-strike mines, showing that crewed and uncrewed platforms can support mining. The integration showcased the U.S. military’s ability to deliver mines quickly and effectively across vast distances, providing a significant operational advantage in contested environments.
Uncrewed Platforms: A New Era of Mine Deployment
Using uncrewed platforms to deploy mines reduces the risk to human operators. The MQ-9 Reaper, known for its reconnaissance and strike capabilities, has been equipped to lay up to four quick-strike mines. This capability represents a novel offensive and defensive tool, allowing for continuous aerial minefield seeding in contested areas without exposing pilots to enemy threats. Moreover, the inclusion of the extra-large uncrewed undersea vehicle (XLUUV) in the exercise demonstrated the potential for such submersibles in clandestine mining operations. Under the control of Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Squadron 3, the XLUUV simulated clandestine minelaying, underscoring the potential for reseeding cleared minefields without being detected. This capability introduces a layer of complexity for adversaries, as it allows for persistent, covert mining operations that can disrupt or delay hostile naval movements.
Comprehensive Execution, Real-World Readiness
The MINEX was not only a demonstration of advanced technologies but also a full-spectrum execution of mining operations, from planning and building to transporting, loading and deploying mines. Personnel operated in two shifts to ensure timely assembly of mines, which were then transported to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, loaded onto B-1 bombers and the MQ-9 and deployed in a coordinated effort with aircraft from the U.S. Navy carrier USS Ronald Reagan.
The B-1s employed parachute-tail versions of the mines, while the MQ-9 used fin-tail versions, each suited to specific operational requirements. The ability to quickly assemble, transport and deploy mines from various platforms provides the U.S. military with a versatile and scalable option to respond to evolving threats.
Cross-Domain and Multinational Operations
The Valiant Shield MINEX also underscored the importance of Allies and Partners participating in such exercises. Cross-domain operations involving the U.S. Air Force and Navy reflect a growing emphasis on interoperability. By involving Allies and Partners, these exercises enhance the readiness and posture of the combined and joint force, making them more capable of defending shared interests.
The success of these operations provides U.S. Allies with a key asymmetric advantage in maritime warfare. By integrating allied platforms into U.S. mining operations, the combined force’s lethality is increased, offering a substantial deterrent against potential adversaries. The participation of Allies also enhances mutual trust and operational coordination, ensuring all parties can respond effectively in a crisis.
Learning from History
To understand the significance of the MINEX, consider the historical context of U.S. military mining operations. The most recent was the mining of North Vietnam’s Haiphong Harbor in 1972 under Operation Pocket Money. The deployment of over 11,000 mines in eight months effectively closed the port of Haiphong, which received more than 85% of North Vietnamese imports, demonstrating the strategic impact that well-planned mining operations can have on enemy supply lines and warfighting capabilities. The U.S. Marine Corps and Navy conducted Operation End Sweep in 1973 to remove naval mines from the harbor and other coastal and inland waterways in North Vietnam.
The lessons from Operation Pocket Money shaped the current approach to naval mining, emphasizing precision, discrimination and technology integration to improve the effectiveness and safety of mining operations. The MINEX success demonstrates that these lessons have been learned and applied, setting a new standard for future operations.
Future Developments, Enhanced Capabilities
As the U.S. military continues to refine its mining capabilities, projects are underway to further enhance naval mining operations. Innovations in mine deployment platforms, including uncrewed aerial and underwater vehicles, promise to increase the speed and stealth of minelaying missions. Technologies such as Quickstrike-ER, which offers extended ranges for mine delivery, are being developed to provide more flexible deployment.
Furthermore, advancements in mine-seeker technology and control mechanisms will improve the selectivity and lethality of naval mines. That will allow for better discrimination of targets, minimizing the risk to neutral shipping and ensuring that mines are only triggered by military threats. This technological evolution will enable the U.S. and its Allies and Partners to employ mines more efficiently and effectively, providing a powerful tool for shaping the maritime battlespace.
Building Prowess
The MINEX marked a pivotal moment in the U.S. military’s renewed focus on naval mining operations. By integrating crewed and uncrewed platforms across multiple domains, the exercise demonstrated a robust capability to deploy mines quickly and effectively in contested areas. The assembly, transportation and deployment of over 100 mines highlighted the operational readiness and logistical prowess of U.S. forces.
As geopolitical tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific, the ability to control key maritime choke points through effective mining operations will be a crucial aspect of U.S. strategy. The lessons learned from MINEX and the continued development of mining technologies will ensure that the U.S. maintains its strategic advantage, capable of responding to any threat with precision and overwhelming force.
