The exercise is “purely defensive” US Navy said The US Fifth Fleet has been based in Bahrain since 1995 MANAMA: The US, French and British navies have launched anti-mine exercises off Bahrain in support of the free movement of trade in Gulf waters, a military spokeswoman said Monday. “As mines threaten maritime traffic indiscriminately, the US, France and United Kingdom are dedicated to conducting tactical training to counter the risk of mines in order to support the continued free flow of commerce and freedom of navigation in this critical region,” said the US Fifth Fleet, which has been based in Bahrain since 1995. The exercise is “purely defensive,” Lt. Chloe Morgan, a spokesperson for the US Navy, told AFP. The archipelago is also home to a permanent British military base.