CNO's Vision of '1,000-Ship Navy' Tested by CARAT Exercise
A crew member of the Royal Thai Navy Ship HTMS Similan (187) renders a bugle salute to the guided-missile frigate USS Jarrett (FFG 33) as it arrives in port for the Thailand phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training. CARAT is a regularly scheduled series of bilateral military training exercises with several Southeast Asia nations designed to enhance interoperability of the respective sea services. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Thomas J. By Lt. When Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullen put forth the bold concept of a '1,000-ship navy,' he envisioned the U.S. and other navies worldwide joining in regional partnerships to improve maritime security and the sharing of information.
First CARAT Exercise Phase Concludes in Philippines
U.S. and Philippine Marines guide their assault boat to sea after departing from the stern ramp of dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) during an amphibious assault exercise near Pilas Island, Philippines. The Philippine Marine Corps is training with the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force's Special Operations Training Group (SOTG) during the 1st phase of the 13th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise series. CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the U.S. and six Southeast Asia nations designed to build relationships and enhance the operational readiness of the participating forces. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jessica M.
U.S., Indonesian Navies Partner for CARAT
The Indonesia phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) began at Surabaya Naval Base July 11, with leaders from the Indonesian and United States navies agreeing on the continuing need for mutual cooperation and interoperability. More than 2,000 participants from both countries will train together during the next week in a variety of scenarios, including visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) demonstrations, amphibious operations, diving and salvage, and small craft force protection tactics. “The closer cooperation and friendship between our two navies and the stronger friendly relations between our two nations, as well, will give a great benefit and contribution to the international effort to increase the prosperity of people in a peaceful world,” said Rear Adm.
U.S., Thai Navies Conduct Live-Fire Practice at Sea
A ship-deployed surface target (SDST) was launched from USS Tortuga (LSD 46) during a gunnery exercise with the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) June 23, in the Gulf of Thailand. The live-fire target practice was the first major event during day one of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training’s (CARAT) Thailand at-sea phase. CFAO is embarked aboard Tortuga during CARAT to provide targets for gunnery exercises. CFAO also launched a target drone from the Tortuga June 24 for an RTN tracking run. CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the United States and six Southeast Asia nations designed to build relationships and enhance the operational readiness of the participating forces. Thailand is the second phase of the summer-long exercise series.
U.S., Singapore Navies Practice Boarding At Sea
Singapore Strait A combined boarding at sea united the visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) teams of USS Crommelin (FFG 37) and the Republic of Singapore navy (RSN) patrol craft RSS Sea Lion (P 77) during the Singapore phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) June 6. A combined 10-ship USN/RSN CARAT task group, in addition to air assets, is operating together in the South China Sea during the first leg of the annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the United States and six Southeast Asia nations. “Training together helps us enhance maritime security in the Singapore Strait,” said Sea Lion’s boarding officer Capt. Lee, who only uses his family name.
CARAT Seminar Centers Discussion on Maritime Security
U.S. Navy and Republic of Singapore navy (RSN) sailors and officers shared their views on terrorism and maritime security during a seminar on the subjects May 31 at the RSN’s Changi Naval Base. The seminar included a presentation on the U.S. Navy’s 21st century maritime strategy by a visiting U.S. Naval War College (NWC) professor here in support of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), a series of bilateral exercises held annually throughout Southeast Asia. “My visit is twofold. I hope we can have a dialogue so I learn from the experts who live in this region of the world,” said Jeffrey Norwitz, professor, National Security Decision Making at the NWC.
