MUARA, Friday 6 November 2015 – The 21st series of Brunei Phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2015 in Brunei Darussalam ended with a closing ceremony which took place at the Multi-National Coordination Centre (MNCC) in Muara.
Present at the closing ceremony was Dato Seri Pahlawan Brigadier General (U) Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat, RBAF Joint Force Commander as the guest of honour at the ceremony declared the deactivation of CARAT 2015.
Also present were Captain H. B. Le, Commodore of Destroyer Squadron 7's (DESRON 7) from US Navy, Deputy Commander Task Group (DCTG), Commander Shamsul Bahren bin Taweh from Royal Brunei Navy and other Senior Officers from Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and US Navy.
The RBAF and US Navy make use of the CARAT exercise to enhance cooperative efforts in addressing shared security concerns. This include among other trainings for maritime security tasks, communication procedures and amphibious operations. The CARAT exercise also poses an important platform for military officers and personnel from both countries to exchange knowledge and experience toward further increasing interoperability.
During the five days of CARAT joint exercise, both Armed Forces optimized the opportunities to strengthen the relationships between two countries by allowing greater interaction through joint military training.
Several public symposiums were held covering Military Operations and Public Affairs as well as Interaction programme between RBAF and US Navy. Community service projects such as joint band of Royal Brunei Navy and 7th Fleet Band conducted at The Time Square, International School Brunei, Smarter Brunei and Jerudong Playground amusement park were also sidelined.
CARAT is an annual series of bilateral military exercises between United States and several Southeast Asian Nations.