MCM Fleet in the Gulf – The four strong Minecountermeasure Group (“Hunts” MIDDLETON and QUORN, and “Sandowns” PEMBROKE and RAMSEY) operate in a wider context with a matching quartet of US Navy vessels.  The USN Minecountermeasure vessels (ARDENT, DEXTROUS, GLADIATOR and SCOUT) are in the area and supported by four (4) MH-53E Sea Dragon long range mine sweeping helicopters.    Now four (4) additional USN Minecountermeasure vessels (DEVASTATOR, PIONEER, SENTRY and WARRIOR) are set to join them.    Thus the mine threat to the Straits of Hormuz, and the Arabian Gulf area is to be countered.