Saudi ship takes part in Persian Gulf mine exercise скачать в хорошем качестве

Saudi ship takes part in Persian Gulf mine exercise

(12 Nov 2014) Saudi Arabia is the only Arab nation using its own ship in counter-mining exercises, which are continuing in the Persian Gulf. The "Al Kharj" vessel is a key focus of the training - which involves more than 40 navies from around the world. On the look out for mines - these Saudi navy officers are sweeping the Persian Gulf. Thankfully there's no immediate danger, they are taking part in an international counter-mine exercise. Captain Abdulla Al-Bogami is in charge of Saudi Arabia's Al-Kharj mine-sweeping ship. A Sandown class ship, it's capable of finding and destroying mines. More than 40 navies from around the world are taking part in the third annual International Countermine Measure Exercise, also known as IMCMEX. "This exercise we are participating in as the Saudi navy is an exercise to clear safe pathways for trade ships for the sea-line of communication so as to create safe pathways for trade ships and also naval ships in entering and exiting the Gulf," explains Al-Bogami. He continues: "Of course Saudi Arabia participated in this to protect the Gulf from any dangers that could threaten it and you know how dangerous mines can be. All of the countries participating, are under the leadership of the US Navy, they are the ones conducting the exercises and Saudi Arabia has participated, as one of more than 41 countries in the exercise, because of its proximity to the Gulf." During the exercise, four navy ships have been looking for dummy mines in the Persian Gulf; Japan, the US, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Al-Bogami says it's all about being prepared. "We are now, thank God, in a time of peace but the planning is for the 'what if' there was any danger or threat. God forbid any evil," he says. "So people have to be trained on mines because the (practice) mines were put there by our friendly countries from the US Navy and the Japanese Navy. They participated with dummy mines, they are not real mines and we practice with it so we are ready if there is some kind of war." Al-Kharj was introduced in 1994 and is currently based in Al-Kharj port in Saudi Arabia. It is one of three mine-sweeping ships owned by the Kingdom's Royal Navy. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...