USS SENTRY (MCM-3)

• Commissioned in 1989: USS Sentry (MCM-3) was officially commissioned into the United States Navy on September 2, 1989, at Naval Base Charleston, South Carolina. • Avenger-Class Mine Countermeasures Ship: Sentry is part of the Avenger-class, a group of minesweepers specifically designed to locate, classify, and neutralize moored and bottom mines in coastal waters. • Wooden Hull Construction: The ship is primarily constructed with a wooden hull sheathed in fiberglass, reducing its magnetic signature and making it less likely to trigger magnetic mines. • Named for Vigilance: The name "Sentry" represents vigilance and watchfulness, reflecting the ship’s mission to protect naval and commercial shipping from the threat of mines. • Persian Gulf Deployments: USS Sentry has been deployed multiple times to the Persian Gulf as part of the U.S. Navy's ongoing efforts to secure critical maritime chokepoints from mine threats. • Key Role in Operation Iraqi Freedom: In 2003, Sentry was part of the coalition naval forces that cleared mines from Iraqi waters to open up the port of Umm Qasr for humanitarian aid. • Advanced Minehunting Technology: The ship is equipped with sophisticated mine countermeasure systems including AN/SQQ-32 minehunting sonar and remotely operated vehicles for mine disposal. • Homeport in Bahrain: As of recent years, USS Sentry's forward-deployed homeport has been Naval Support Activity Bahrain, enhancing U.S. mine countermeasure capabilities in the Fifth Fleet area of operations. • Notable Humanitarian Participation: The crew and ship have participated in joint exercises and international mine countermeasure operations, fostering international partnerships and maritime security. • Unique Engineering Crew: The Sentry’s engineering team is trained to perform repairs on the ship’s unique non-magnetic engines and systems, a skill set that distinguishes MCM crews from other Navy engineering teams.