Sea lions and bottle-nosed dolphins are assisting coalition naval forces in their military campaign in Iraq by scouting for underwater mines.

According to a FoxNews.com report, the mammals are fitted with cameras and are specially trained to locate mines.

The explosives are a threat for the military patrolling the Iraqi waters and the mammals are helping divers ensure that the coastline is free of danger for humanitarian aid shipments o­n the way to the southern port of Umm Qasr.

Navy's Marine Mammal Programme public affairs officer Tom LaPuzza said dolphins are trained in swimmer defence, meaning they look for enemy divers, and in mine hunting