The seventh annual Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism (SEACAT) exercise began in , Aug. 18. Designed to focus information sharing, cooperation and coordination, SEACAT brings six countries together for simultaneous bilateral exercises with the . The multifaceted exercises present participants with realistic situations involving criminal and terrorist threats requiring international coordination, communication and decision-making. SEACAT also provides participants with practical maritime interception training opportunities to enhance the maritime security and interoperability of the participating forces. USS Tortuga (LSD 46) is serving as an information fusion center for the various liaison officers from , , , and . Indonesian observers are also on board. Capt. Michael W.