USS RODNEY M. DAVIS ARRIVES BRUNEI FOR EXERCISE CARAT 2014
MUARA, Sunday, 09 November 2014 - USS Rodney M. Davis, an Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate from the United States Navy (USN) has arrived this morning at Muara Commercial Port for the Cooperation Afloat and Readiness Training (CARAT) Exercise 2014 that will take place from 10 November 2014 until 14 November 2014.
Present to receive and welcome the ship was Lieutenant Colonel (L) Muhammad Hadi Syarifuddin bin Hj Muhammad Hassanal Mega, the Commanding Officer of KDB DARULAMAN as well as the Deputy Commander Task Group (DCTG) for Exercise CARAT 2014.
CARAT is an annual exercise consisting of a series of bilateral training evolutions between the U.S. and several Southeast Asian countries such as Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. This year's exercise will focus on building professional knowledge as well as exposing personnel from both parties on naval operations.
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ANNUAL CARAT EXERCISE WITH US NAVY BEGINS
MUARA, Monday 10 November 2014 – The Brunei phase of the 20th 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.
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).
Present to witness the launching was Colonel Haji Zainal Ariffin bin Dato Paduka Haji Ahmad, Joint Force Commander Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Commodore Capt Fred W. Kacher, Commodore of Destroyer Squadron Seven, U.S Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, Senior officers from Ministry of Defence 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 Commander Task Group (CTG) for this exercise is Commodore Capt Fred W. Kacher from US Navy while The Deputy Commander Task Group (DCTG) is Lt Col (L) Muhd Hadi Syarifuddin bin Abdullah Mega from Royal Brunei Navy.
During the five 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) engagement include Helo Jump, Aviation Maintenance symposium, Damage Control Engagement as well as several other 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.