VARNA, Bulgaria – Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 8 and Mobile Diving and Salvage Company (MDS) 2-3 operated alongside NATO allies and partners at Exercise Sea 24-3, Sept. 9-20, 2024.
This collaborative exercise aims to address the current maritime mine threat, collective demining capabilities, and effective means of enhancing Black Sea regional maritime security. In its 23rd iteration, Sea Breeze is an annual, multinational maritime exercise, originally co-hosted by Ukraine and U.S. 6th Fleet to enhance interoperability and capabilities among participating force.
Read more…
Source: U.S. Navy
Sign up for Counter-IED Report Newsletter
Related:
- Albania: Undersea Explosives pose risk for resort construction
May 18, 2026
On the western shore of Albania’s Sazan Island, where waves crash against steep cliffs, lies an area that seafarers call “Gryka e Xhehenemit” – the Gorge of Hell. On the surface, the transparent waters offer a fairytale view – precisely the kind of natural beauty believed capable of attracting the elite of global tourism. But dive ...
- Latvia: Open Spirit 2026 delivers real world impact in the Baltic Sea
May 14, 2026
NATO ships took part in an international mine countermeasures exercise off the coast of Latvia between 1 and 13 May 2026. Open Spirit 26 brought together Allied and Partner navies, enhanced regional security, strengthened interoperability, and reduced the threat posed by historical naval mines in the region. This year’s exercise was held in close coordination with ...
- Alabama: Explosive device found and detonated at Mobile water reservoir
May 13, 2026
The Gulf Coast Regional Maritime Response and Render-Safe Team retrieved and detonated an improvised explosive device found underwater at the Converse Reservoir dam, the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System announced Tuesday. The multi-agency effort included the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, FBI Bomb Squad, Mobile Police Department Explosive Ordinance Detail, ALEA Bomb Squad and the Daphne ...
- China showcases submarine-launched anti-mine vehicles, robotic combat dogs at defense expo
May 10, 2026
Autonomous underwater drones capable of detecting and neutralizing naval mines emerged as one of the standout attractions at China’s 2026 Chengdu Defense Technology Industry Expo, where the country also showcased robotic combat dogs and other advanced unmanned systems. Among the most notable exhibits were submarine-launched autonomous underwater vehicles designed for deep-sea operations and reconnaissance missions. The ...
- University of Illinois professor develops mine-detection technology with potential use in areas like the Strait of Hormuz
April 25, 2026
Viktor Gruev, professor in Engineering, is overseeing a project aimed at detecting underwater mines, with funding from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. The technology now has the potential to support mine clearing in the Strait of Hormuz. Gruev’s project initially began with the development of a polarization camera, used for cancer imaging, before shifting ...
- UK divers prepare for mine-clearing operations in Strait of Hormuz
April 23, 2026
British military divers are preparing to conduct mine-clearing operations in case they are needed in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Ministry of Defence. The Royal Navy experts, trained in mine neutralization and clearance, are being readied to provide additional options alongside uncrewed systems. As military planners take part in a second day of talks ...
- EOD Mobile Unit 12, Royal Canadian Navy Strengthen Partnership in Halifax
April 13, 2026
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – U.S. Navy technicians from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit TWELVE (EODMU-12) and divers from the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic completed a joint Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) focused on strengthening Allied undersea capabilities, March 14-21, 2026. The exchange, held in and around Halifax Harbor, centered on advanced Mine ...
- Lithuania: Trilateral bomb disposal drills begin in Klaipėda
April 13, 2026
Lithuania has launched a trilateral explosive ordnance disposal exercise in Klaipėda, bringing together military specialists from Lithuania, Portugal and the United States. The drills, which opened on Monday, are taking place at the Kairiai training ground, within Klaipėda port waters, and at various locations across the city, according to the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Personnel from the ...
- US military starts removing mines from Strait of Hormuz
April 11, 2026
The U.S. military has launched operations to begin de-mining the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command (Centcom) said on Saturday. Centcom said in a social media post highlighted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that two Navy guided-missile destroyers began “setting conditions” for this mission on Saturday morning. The USS Frank E. Peterson and USS Michael Murphy ...
- Marine EOD techs team with robots in frigid Alaskan waters
March 23, 2026
For Marine Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan Veenhuizen and his dozen-man explosive ordnance disposal team, a day on Kodiak Island means prep dives into cold Alaskan waters — a far cry from the warmer kiss of San Diego waves they call home — and the launch of little robots to scour the surf for “anomalies.” The ...
- Hormuz Strait tensions: How navies detect and clear marine mines
March 13, 2026
With the US racing to unblock the Strait of Hormuz and stabilise soaring oil prices, a report emerged that Iran has sown an “estimated 10 mines” in the vital chokepoint, where 20% of global oil exports pass through. Deployed stealthily, often by frogmen from small boats masquerading as fishing vessels, these weapons evade detection, rendering clearance ...
- Belgium: Bomb disposal unit begins removal of WWII sea mines off the coast of Wenduine
March 10, 2026
Off the coast of Wenduine, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Destruction Service (DOVO) and grid operator Elia Group have begun the safe removal of twelve German sea mines dating from the Second World War. The mines lie on the seabed along the planned cable route that will carry green electricity from the Princess Elisabeth energy island ...
- Romania: Naval mine discovered near Midia firing range
January 28, 2026
Romanian military personnel discovered a naval mine washed ashore on a beach near the Midia firing range on Wednesday morning, January 28, the Ministry of National Defense (MApN) said. A team of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) divers from the 39th Divers Center has been deployed to identify and neutralise the device. The mine was found at ...
- Baltic Sea: CTF 68 Builds Maritime Advantage with NATO Allies During Exercise Freezing Winds 2025
January 23, 2026
U.S. Navy expeditionary forces assigned to Commander, Naval Expeditionary Combat Forces Europe-Africa/Commander, Task Force 68 (CTF 68) recently concluded operations in support of Exercise Freezing Winds 2025, a Finnish-led multinational training event designed to bolster collective readiness, interoperability, and security across the North Baltic Sea. A key focus during Freezing Winds was improving freedom of movement ...
- U.S., Japan Naval Forces Complete Mine Warfare Exercise 3JA 2025
December 9, 2025
The U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) completed Mine Warfare Exercise (MINEX) 3JA 2025 off the coast of Southern Japan near Aburatsu, Nov. 12-26. MINEX 3JA is part of an annual series of exercises between the U.S. Navy and JMSDF designed to increase proficiency in mine countermeasure operations between the two forces. This exercise ...
- Ukraine to create interagency national underwater mine clearance group
November 12, 2025
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture and other key mine action stakeholders, will create the first interagency national group of underwater mine clearance instructors, the press service of the Ministry of Economy reported. According to the report, the group consists of fifteen instructors who ...
- Royal Navy Divers work with NATO allies in Iceland for training in neutralising underwater and land bombs
October 8, 2025
Royal Navy divers joined counterparts from across NATO in Iceland for the alliance’s biggest test dealing with homemade bombs. They neutralised underwater threats and disposed of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during training which reflected real-life scenarios during Exercise Northern Challenge. Personnel from the Royal Navy’s Diving and Threat Exploitation Group worked alongside personnel from 17 nations, ...
- U.S. Northern Command Wraps Up Arctic Edge 25
September 5, 2025
U.S. Northern Command successfully concluded Arctic Edge 25, a joint and combined, multidomain field training exercise conducted across Alaska from Aug. 1-31. The exercise demonstrated readiness, enhanced interoperability and advanced capabilities in the Arctic region. Key events during AE25 showcased the complexity and innovation required for Arctic operations. A joint explosive ordnance disposal team conducted mine ...
- US, Panamanian Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians Enhance Panama Canal Safety
August 4, 2025
PANAMA CITY, Panama – U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 2 trained EOD personnel assigned to the Panamanian National Police (PNP) and National Aeronaval Service of Panama (SENAN) at PANAMAX 25, July 6 – August 9, 2025. PANAMAX is a premier multinational exercise that strengthens regional security, ...
- ADF: Partners united go ‘all clear’ underwater
August 1, 2025
A suspected improvised explosive device (IED) on a police boat in Gladstone Marina brought Australian and United States clearance divers into action during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. After Queensland Police handed over control of the scene, the divers used electronic countermeasures and conducted a search of the area. A suspicious package was located on a police ...
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group TWO Holds Change of Command Ceremony
July 16, 2025
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Capt. Steve Cobos assumed command of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2 during a change of command ceremony at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, July 16, 2025. Cobos relieved Capt. Karl Haywood as commodore of EODGRU-2 in the presence of fellow service members, families, and distinguished guests. During his remarks, Haywood ...
- Latest Sea Breeze Exercise Focuses on Mines in the Black Sea
July 8, 2025
For the third year in a row, the U.S. and partner nations, including Ukraine, have their eyes on the Black Sea’s future and how to deal with the thousands of mines in the region. The Black Sea is currently closed to the U.S. and other non-Black Sea nations after Turkey closed the Bosphorus Strait to warships ...