The U.S. military is gearing up for an annual series of exercises with several western Pacific nations.
The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, or CARAT, will involve about 1,200 sailors, Marines and soldiers who will train with the armed forces of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines.
This year’s exercise will focus on maritime security. Training will run from late May through late August, the Navy said in a news release on Monday.
Two Sasebo Naval Base ships are under way for the exercises. They are the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry and rescue and salvage ship USS Safeguard.
The task group — led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron One — also includes the guided missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton and the guided missile frigate USS Rodney M. Davis, according to CARAT spokesman Lt. Chuck Bell.
Also taking part in CARAT is a P-3C Orion surveillance airplane and a SH-60 Seahawk helicopter, Navy Seabees, a Coast Guard training team, Army veterinarians and a variety of support commands.
The location of the first training phase wasn’t disclosed.
“The specific dates for the individual phases will be released consistent with security guidelines of both the U.S. Navy and the individual host nations,” Bell said.
Each phase of CARAT includes in-port and at-sea scenarios, he added.
Exercises at sea will be designed to “enhance maritime security capabilities, such as maritime interdiction, maritime surveillance and visit, board search and seizure,” he said. “Other important exercise events will take place in areas such as at-sea maneuvering and communications, command and control and diving and salvage.”
Ashore, a variety of seminars, social events and community service projects are scheduled, Bell said.
Rear Adm. Kevin M. Quinn, commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific, who operates from Singapore, is responsible for overall CARAT coordination as commander, Task Force 712. Capt. Buzz Little, commander of Destroyer Squadron One, is embarked aboard the Fort McHenry and will lead the task force.
Also involved in CARAT 2005
In addition to the ships in the CARAT Task Group, the following units and assets are participating:
One Navy SH-60B Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light 45 based at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.One Navy P-3C Orion maritime surveillance aircraft from Patrol Squadron 40 based at Whidbey Island, Wash.Mobile Mine Assembly Unit 10, OkinawaMobile Security Squadron 7, based in GuamFleet Activities, OkinawaNaval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 based in Port Hueneme, Calif.Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74, based in Gulfport, Miss.Joint Interagency Task Force WestNaval Criminal Investigative Service, SingaporeBeachmaster Unit 1, Detachment Western PacificAssault Craft Unit 5, Detachment Western Pacific AlfaU.S. Army veterinarians7th Fleet BandSource:CARAT 2005
