Four-nation drill Unified Trident starts in Persian Gulf

[Khafee]

Four-nation drill Unified Trident starts in Persian Gulf
February 1, 2017

The exercise will be led from the Royal Navy flagship HMS Ocean. Photo: Royal Navy

Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy, French Marine Nationale and U.S. Navy ships started the multilateral exercise Unified Trident on January 31.

The drill will take place in the international waters of the Persian Gulf and incorporate all forms of maritime operations.

The exercise will be led by Commander Task Force (CTF) 50, Commodore Andrew Burns OBE Royal Navy.

“The region’s strategic waterways are a global commons for the free flow of food, consumer goods, raw materials and energy for nations across the globe,” the Commodore said from aboard the Royal Navy flagship HMS Ocean.

“Multilateral exercises, including Unified Trident, provide an opportunity for partner nations to come together and share knowledge and experiences, maintain readiness, and enhance our ability to work together,” he added. “The exercise will also improve cooperation to ensure the free flow of commerce.”

Unified Trident incorporates all US Naval Forces Central Command’s Task Forces, led by CTF 50, embarked on HMS Ocean.

A total of 17 ships and multiple aircraft from the four allied nations will participate in the drill. Concluding Feb. 2, Unified Trident will test the task force against a number of conventional and unconventional maritime and air threats to ensure that the operational readiness of this forward deployed contingent capability is maintained at the highest level.

http://navaltoday.com/2017/02/01/four-nation-drill-unified-trident-starts-in-persian-gulf/?uid=1067

 

[Mo12]

Assume this is to safe guard oil shipping lanes and to stop Chinese influence.

 

[The SC]

Americans hiding in HMS ocean!? They know Europe likes the Iranian nuclear deal and enjoy a better relation with Iran, this is why they put Europeans _England_ as a front for the drill..

 

[Khafee]

Persian Gulf exercise Unified Trident wraps up
February 3, 2017

Navy ships from Australia, Great Britain, France and the U.S. concluded their participation in the multi-national exercise Unified Trident that was held in the Persian Gulf.

More than 15 ships, plus numerous aircraft from the four navies completed many different evolutions from January 31 to February 2.

U.S. Navy liaison officers from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) embarked the Royal Navy’s amphibious assault ship HMS Ocean (L12), flagship for Commander, Task Force 50.

Unified Trident also marked the first time the Royal navy led an exercise involving all of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s task forces.

“This exercise will further develop a way a multinational [naval force] could be generated against threats against the free flow of commerce and freedom of navigation,” said Royal Navy Commodore Andrew Burns, CTF 50. “It’s really important we continue to [take advantage of] the opportunity to demonstrate how effective we are when we do work together.”

Evolutions included a gunnery exercise designed to maintain sailors’ readiness with onboard weapon systems, a combined anti-submarine exercise involving simulating and overcoming realistic submarine threats, and an air-defense exercise aiming to increase proficiency in air and missile defense of the Persian Gulf.

The first day of Unified Trident focused on layered defenses, also known as defense-in-depth, in maritime operations. For example, Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Arunta (FFH 151) and French Marine Nationale anti-air frigate FS Forbin (D620) provided protection for the Royal Navy’s Hunt-class minehunter HMS Chiddingfold (M37) during a mine countermeasures exercise designed to seek, identify, and eliminate mine threats.

“Forbin has been deployed for three months and integrated for one month in CTF 50,” said Capt. Christophe Cluzel, commander of Forbin. “Being fully integrated into CTF 50 was my main goal as we arrived in the area of operations. Now we are able and fully interoperable with the task force.”

The centerpiece of the exercise involved all units steaming in formation, showcasing the combined commitment to the free flow of commerce, freedom of navigation, and regional security and stability.

“They are doing an outstanding job for the security of the French and allied people in fighting terrorism far from their home, far from their family,” said Cluzel. “Everybody at home is watching us and expects the best from us.”

http://navaltoday.com/2017/02/03/persian-gulf-exercise-unified-trident-wraps-up/?uid=1067