The 20th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Brunei commenced at Muara Naval Base in Brunei, Nov. 10.
Original CARAT partners, Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) have participated since the exercise began in 1995. CARAT Brunei marks the final phase of the 2014 series, which began in May with partner nations in South and Southeast Asia. It provides a credible venue for regional navies to share best practices, foster relationships and enhance maritime security cooperation.
Continuing through Nov. 14, this year’s exercise features several new events including maritime security, search and rescue and aviation maintenance symposia ashore, as well as shipboard helicopter operations and a simulated medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) at sea.
Additional symposia ashore will bring together professionals from both navies to discuss best practices in military law and military medicine. Japan Regional Maintenance Center divers will train with their RBAF counterparts in hull inspection and surface supplied breathing techniques.
Community service events and joint performances by the U.S. 7th Fleet and RBAF bands will occur throughout the local community.
A platoon of U.S. Marines from 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force will conduct military operations on urban terrain training with their Royal Brunei Land Forces counterparts at the Fibua Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain complex.
At sea, USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60), embarked with Destroyer Squadron 7 commodore and staff and an MH-60R helicopter, will train with the Royal Brunei Navy ship, KDB Darulaman (P-08), and a Royal Brunei Air Force S-70A helicopter. In addition to maneuvering and surface gunnery drills, highlights include maritime boarding scenarios, RBAF crossdeck landing qualifications aboard Rodney M. Davis, and a maritime domain awareness exercise involving both helicopter versions and the P-3C aircraft.
In its 20th year, CARAT is an annual, bilateral exercise series with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the armed forces of nine partner nations including, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Republic of Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste.
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Press release, Image: US Navy