USS Defender (MCM-2)

USS Defender (MCM-2) was an Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship of the United States Navy, commissioned on 30 September 1989. Designed to detect and neutralize naval mines, Defender played a critical role in ensuring safe passage for U.S. and allied vessels, particularly in mine-threatened waters. Throughout her service, she participated in numerous exercises and deployments, including operations in the Persian Gulf where mine warfare posed significant risks. After more than two decades of dedicated service, USS Defender was decommissioned on 1 October 2014.