US Navy crews from Patrol Squadron 8 (VP-8) took part in a coordinated operations mining exercise, or MINEX, with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force on 19 July 2012. The exercise took place in northern Japan's Mutsu Bay and consisted of US and Japanese P-3 crews operating with the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Guardian (MCM-5), as well as Japanese small mine countermeasures ships and helicopters. The focus of the exercise was on maintaining clear and precise communication and coordination, while concentrating on tactical mine employment, hunting, and recovery. Based in Jacksonville, Florida, VP-8, known as the Fighting Tigers, is currently on a six-month deployment to the US 7th Fleet area of responsibility.
