Afloat Forward Staging Base (Interim) USS Ponce (AFSB(I) 15) transits the Arabian Gulf during International Mine Countermeasures Exercise 2012 (IMCMEX 12).

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Sep. 22, 2012) Afloat Forward Staging Base (Interim) USS Ponce (AFSB(I) 15) transits the Arabian Gulf during International Mine Countermeasures Exercise 2012 (IMCMEX 12). IMCMEX 12 includes navies from more than 30 countries whose focus is to promote regional security through mine countermeasures operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. The U.S. Navy is constantly deployed to preserve peace, protect commerce, and deter aggression through forward presence. Join the conversation on social media using #warfighting. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jumar T. Balacy) File# 120922-N-GG400-039