170719-N-HE318-003 OMINATO, Japan (July 19, 2017) The Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Pioneer (MCM 9) is moored at Ominato Navy Base during 2JA 2017 Mine Countermeasures Exercise. The annual bilateral exercise held between the U.S. Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force to strengthen interoperability and increase proficiencies in mine countermeasure operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William McCann/Released)