The Spanish Navy leads the Advanced Multinational Exercise ESP MINEX-24 in the Mediterranean Sea.

The annual advanced multinational exercise known as "ESP MINEX 24" is being carried out in waters of the Balearic archipelago from Monday 29 April to 9 May. This exercise, organized and conducted by the Spanish Navy through the Mine Countermeasures Action Force (FMCM) in the Mediterranean, counts with the participation of 13 surface ships, a Navy SH60B helicopter, specialized divers and teams of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) from Belgium, the United States and Spain, adding up to more than 550 troops from allied countries.

ESP MINEX-24 is an advanced multinational mine warfare exercise conducted annually with the objective of strengthening cooperation and interoperability between allied naval forces in the detection and neutralization of sea mines.

The Multinational Naval Force, under command of Captain F. Javier Ruiz Ruiz de Cortázar, Commander of the Mine Countermeasures Action Force (COMTEMECOM), is made up by the permanent NATO Mine Countermeasures Action Group in the Mediterranean (SNMCMG-2) and the European Maritime Force (EUROMARFOR), with units from Turkey, Greece, France, Italy and Spain. COMTEMECOM and its Deployable Staff operate from the offshore patrol vessel "Relámpago", coordinating the operations.

Preparations for the exercise began on April 26, when all the participating ships arrived at the Mahon Naval Station (Menorca), where they were able to enjoy the leisure activities offered by this island. A solemn Flag Raising Ceremony was also held with attendance of Civilian Authorities and Military Commanders of the participating Groups.

The exercise began with the Pre-sail Briefing on April 29, chaired by COMTEMECOM aboard the OPV "Relámpago". They later set sail to sea to start the exercises. Equipped with sophisticated underwater detection systems and specialized mine warfare divers, the Force boasts state-of-the-art autonomous underwater robots that complement the capabilities of the minehunters in their role of detecting and neutralizing sea mines in Mediterranean waters.