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MCM Operations

off Libya

Lt Cdr Jim Byron DSC RN

Commanding Officer HMS BROCKLESBY during

Op ELLAMY

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Who / What / Where

Visits

Exercises / HoD Ops / MINEX

Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR

HNLMS HAARLEM

FGS DATTELN

HMS BROCKLESBY

ORP KONTRAMIRAL XEWERY CZERNIKI

BNS NARCIS

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Libyan conflict

Gadaffi Control

Rebel / NTC Control

Neutral

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Libyan conflict

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Context

16000 displaced persons living in port areaAid ships stopped due to Mine Threat Near-constant bombardment of harbour BM21 / Palmyra / Tank / sniper threat Misrata Harbour Control = Misrata Rebel HQ

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Core business!

SF minelaying in approaches to Misrata I&W by SSN, intercepted by FR DD Two confirmed mines Third free-floating mine??

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Core business!

BE / NL national permissions Risk Daylight, close, fighting! Normal State 2 business!Luck Near impossible MH conditions

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SAG 2B Buoyant Contact Mine

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Mission success

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Mission success

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Ongoing Operations

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Suspicious IED Investigation

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Water-Borne IED Threat

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Summary and Highlights

Misrata opened and 2 x 11nm Q-Routes cleared into the harbours MCM is still vital and a constant threat around the world Luck! It is Dangerous Lack of effective Force Protection for MCMVs Fine line between success and failure

Successful MCM Ops! but I have never been as nervous as the day I personally declaredthe port open for business and the first ship went in!

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Any Questions?

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Mine Sinker Recovery