161020-N-QA919-0160 Chief Petty Officer Eric Perando, assigned to USS Gladiator (MCM-11), Royal Navy Cmdr. David Morgan Commander, RFA Lyme Bay (L 3007), Cmdr. Francisco Garza, Commander of the Gladiator, exchange mine hunting techniques during UK/US Mine Countermeasures Exercise 2017 (UK/US MCM-Ex 17). The exercise is a bilateral mine countermeasures (MCM) exercise between the U.S. Navy and Royal Navy designed to provide an opportunity for both nations to share knowledge of MCM techniques to respond to mine threats. The combined MCM force will enhance MCM capabilities in searching, identifying and neutralizing mines threatening the freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce. CTG-56.1 conducts mine countermeasures, explosive ordnance disposal, salvage diving, and force protection operations throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy Combat Camera photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Thompson)