Tag Archives: avenger mcm

Yum! Mines!

Posted on by Leave a comment

Clear Horizon 2014

WATERS SOUTH OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA (Oct. 21, 2014) Mineman 1st Class (SW) Douglas Reynolds gives commands to the crane operator during deployment of the Mine Neutralization Vehicle (MNV) AN/SLQ 48 aboard the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Chief (MCM 14). The MNV is used to identify and neutralize simulated mines during training as part of exercise Clear Horizon 2014.

Clear Horizon is an annual bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Republic of Korea navies designed to enhance cooperation and improve capabilities in mine countermeasure operations. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Frank L. Andrews / Released)

US Doubling Minesweepers in the Persian Gulf

Posted on by Leave a comment

The US Navy owns 14 minesweepers, arguably the lowest number since 1942. Of those 14, 4 are in the Persian Gulf stationed at Manama, Bahrain. Literally within site of Iranian waters.

Now another 4 are on the way.

Good move if you ask me.

All of the US Navy’s minesweepers are pushing 25-years of age and were paid for in the Regan administration. They are of the Avenger Class

Builder: Peterson Shipbuilders, Sturgeon Bay, Wis.
Propulsion System: four diesels
Propellers: two
Length: 224 feet (68.28 meters)
Beam: 39 feet (11.89 meters)
Draft: 11,5 feet (3.5 meters)
Displacement: 1,312 tons
Speed: 14 knots
Armament: Mine neutralization system, two .50 caliber machine guns

Crew: 8 Officers, 76 Enlisted