As Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia drew to a close, the Marines aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) broke down their rifles, scrubbed their nylon tents, and performed maintenance on the vehicles that took them to the Indonesian shores.
While living ashore for six days, they participated in various exercises with their Indonesian counterparts, building trust and increasing interoperability between the Marines of both countries.
During CARAT Indonesia, the two countries’ Marines improved amphibious warfare tactics, trained on field maneuvers, simulated humanitarian relief scenarios, and shared field survival skills. The partner nations worked together on topics including beach surveys, water desalination, and even which local species are safe for human consumption in survival situations.
Several beach landings also took place during the exercise. A few miles off the beach, the Indonesian amphibious ship KRI Makassar launched its landing craft, while the Germantown simultaneously launched its landing force.
As CARAT Indonesia wrapped up, both the Indonesian and American Marines took away new skills and knowledge to improve future bilateral missions, such as humanitarian aid and disaster relief, the most frequently exercised mission in the typhoon-prone region.
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Image: US Navy