Mine Counter Measure is one of the primary mission configurations of the Independence Class, but it is one of many reconfigurable “mission packages”. They could be reconfiguring for a specific emerging threat or mission (China/Russia provided a specific weapon), onloading some new equipment/crew of otherwise updating. They could be correcting some of the known serious problems with the MCM Mission Package.
The Tripoli ARG will be passing by soon on the way to Iran, and they could join them to return. Until the Iranian coast anywhere near the strait is neutralized, neither the Tripoli ARG nor the LCS’s are going to enter the strait.
CENTCOM just announced they are hitting anti-ship cruise missile bunkers along the coast of the Strait of Hormuz with 5,000 “deep penetrators”. Hopefully getting some use out the new GBU-72 Advanced 5K Penetrator, which not only penetrates deeply, but delivers 72 virgins to all Iranians present. It’s going to take a lot of strikes like this before we start sweeping for mines.