MUARA, Monday 5 November 2012 - The Brunei phase of the annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) joint exercise between the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the United States Navy (USN) was launched this morning by the Commander of Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), First Admiral Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Abdul Halim bin Haji Mohd Hanifah at the Royal Brunei Navy Headquarters. Also present to witness the launching was Rear Admiral Thomas F. Carney, Western Pacific Commander Task Force 73, His Excellency Daniel L. Shields, U.S Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, Senior officers from the Ministry of Defense and senior commanding officers of the combined task force ships from Brunei Darussalam and U.S.
The RBN Commander emphasized in his opening speech that “The objective of Exercise CARAT includes the of enhancing regional cooperation, building friendship and strengthening professional skills, it is my view to achieve all these objectives, and the way forward is by building mutual respect, understanding, trust and confidence. I must admit it will not happen overnight, through these aspects not only we will achieve the set objectives but also boost our bilateral ties and cooperation”
The Commander Task Group (CTG) for this exercise is Rear Admiral Thomas F. Carney from US Navy while The Deputy Commander Task Group (DCTG) is Lt Col (L) Pg Omarali bin Pg Haji Moktar Puteh from the Royal Brunei Navy.
This exercise will be participated by personnel and assets from the Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF), Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF).
During the seven days of CARAT, a diverse range of at-sea, air and ashore exercise events have been planned which include Military Operations Urban Terrain (MOUT), Search and Rescue (SAR), Deck Landing Qualification (DLQ), as well as several Naval Warfare Exercises. Interaction programmes such as Community Service (COMSERVE) projects, joint band performances and sporting events between both forces will also take place during the week-long joint exercise.
CARAT has entered its 18th year of bilateral exercise since its inception in 1995 between the U.S. Navy and the Armed Forces of Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. CARAT aims at enhancing regional cooperation; building friendships between the United States and nations involved, and strengthening professional skills at every level.
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