MUARA, Monday 2 November 2015 – The Brunei phase of the 21st annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) joint exercise between Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the United States Navy (USN) was activated this morning by Rear Admiral Charles Williams, Logistics Group Western Pacific Commander (COMLOGWESPAC), Task Force 73.
Present to witness the launching was Dato Seri Pahlawan Brigadier General (U) Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat, RBAF Joint Force Commander and US Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam. Also present were senior officers from RBAF and senior commanding officers of the combined task force ships from Brunei Darussalam and United States.
The launching ceremony was held at the Multi National Coordination Centre (MNCC), Muara.
The CARAT Exercise aims to enhance regional cooperation, build friendship and strengthen professional skills among participating forces. This exercise will be participated by personnel and assets from all three services – the Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF), Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF).
The Commander Task Group (CTG) for this exercise is Captain H. B. Le, Commodore of Destroyer Squadron 7's (DESRON 7) from US Navy while the Deputy Commander Task Group (DCTG) is Commander Shamsul Bahren bin Taweh from Royal Brunei Navy.
During the CARAT exercise, a diverse range of at-sea, air and ashore exercise events have been planned which include Military Operations Urban Terrain (MOUT), Aviation Search and Rescue (SAR) Training. Among the symposium to be held are Military and International Law Operations Symposium (MILOPS), Aviation Maintenance and Public Affairs.
Interaction programmes such as Community Service (COMSERVE) projects and joint band performances between both forces will also take place during the week-long joint exercise.
After more than two decades of annual CARAT training engagements between U.S Navy and RBAF, the exercise reflects the maturity of regional defence cooperation between the two nations.