USN, Republic of Singapore Navy Commence 19th CARAT Singapore
The 19th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Singapore exercise commenced with an opening ceremony at Changi Naval Base, July 15. Continuing through July 26, CARAT Singapore 2013 consists of 12 days of shore-based and at-sea training events designed to address shared maritime security priorities, develop relationships, and enhance interoperability among participating forces. CARAT Singapore is part of a series of bilateral naval exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of nine partner nations in South and Southeast Asia.
Freedom Sets Sail for CARAT Malaysia 2013
The Navy's first littoral combat ship, USS Freedom (LCS 1), departed Changi Naval Base June 11 to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Malaysia 2013. CARAT Malaysia is among the key maritime exercises and exchanges Freedom will conduct with regional navies and U.S. 7th Fleet units while deployed to Southeast Asia. In May, Freedom participated in the International Maritime Defense Exhibition (IMDEX) and the Republic of Singapore Navy's Western Pacific Multilateral Sea Exercise (WMSX).
SECNAV Emphasizes Crucial Role of LCS in SE Asian Waters
Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus visits the littoral combat ship (LCS) USS Freedom on its maiden SE Asia deployment. Mabus, the 75th SECNAV, delivered remarks on the flight deck of Freedom to more than 200 foreign dignitaries and representatives from 26 countries, U.S. citizens in Singapore, and Sailors. Mabus' remarks focused on the Navy's longstanding presence in Southeast Asia and highlighted the new role of littoral combat ships to work with regional navies and promote shared interests.
Salvage Team Removes Fuel From Grounded USS Guardian
To prevent potential environmental damage, a U.S. Navy-led salvage team on Jan. 25 completed removing all diesel fuel from the tanks of the mine countermeasures ship USS Guardian (MCM 5), which ran aground on the Tubbataha Reef one week earlier. No fuel has leaked since the grounding and approximately 15,000 gallons was safely transferred to the contracted Malaysian tug Vos Apollo during controlled defueling operations that occurred over the last two days. “One of our priorities was to get the fuel out of the ship in order to minimize environmental damage,” said Rear Adm.
