Royal Navy ship HMS Defender and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Cardigan Bay anchor a formation of coalition mine countermeasures and maritime security vessels at sea, operating in support of the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX). IMCMEX includes navies from more than 30 countries spanning six continents training together across the Middle East. The exercise is focused on maritime security from mine countermeasures, maritime infrastructure protection and maritime security operations in support of civilian shipping (photo courtesy of Royal Navy/Released)