Sentry (front) and USS Kingfisher (MHC-56)SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Sentry (MCM 3), the final of eight mine countermeasure ships (MCM), is scheduled to arrive to its new homeport at Naval Base San Diego the second week of September after transiting from Ingleside, Texas.
Sentry is part of Commander, Mine Countermeasures Squadron (COMCMRON) 2. USS Champion (MCM 4), USS Devastator (MCM 6), USS Pioneer (MCM 9), USS Warrior (MCM 10) and USS Chief (MCM 14) arrived in San Diego in April and May. USS Defender (MCM 2) and USS Avenger (MCM 1) were heavy lifted to Japan for deployments in the western Pacific in June.
COMCMRON 2 is the squadron commander for all mine countermeasure ships in San Diego. The relocation of mine warfare surface assets from Ingleside, Texas, to San Diego is in accordance with the Defense Base Relocation and Closure Commission's (BRAC) directed closure of Naval Station Ingleside and is part of the consolidation to align resources, consolidate expertise and increase cost savings in maintenance, training and operations.
Naval Mine and Anti-submarine Warfare Command (NMAWC) based in San Diego will oversee the mission of the MCMs. NMAWC focuses efforts across numerous resource sponsors, systems commands, research laboratories, training organizations and operational commands to ensure Navy-wide competency in the naval mine warfare (MIW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission areas.
MCM ships possess the ability to effectively control, shape and dominate the littoral operational area which includes locating and neutralizing mines. The merger between naval MIW and ASW is the latest step towards improving the efficiency and effectiveness of these warfare capabilities, resources and technology functions.
Sentry helps provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the sea and humanitarian/disaster response within 3rd Fleet's 50 million square mile area of responsibility in the eastern Pacific as well as supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy when forward deployed.