SATTAHIP, Thailand -- 22nd annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and the Royal Thai Armed Forces concluded today with closing ceremonies held at the Royal Thai Navy Base in Sattahip.
CARAT Thailand 2016 consisted of eight days of shore-based and at-sea training events in multiple warfare areas. The exercise is focused on addressing shared maritime security concerns, building relationships and enhancing interoperability among participating forces.
"Our armed forces have been working together during CARAT for 22 years, and I think this speaks to the importance and value that both our nations place on operating together." said Capt. H.B. Le, commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7. "We live and work in a diverse maritime environment and working together during exercises like CARAT prepares our armed forces to work jointly during real-world operations."
At sea, multiple warfare areas were addressed when the two navies conducted an air defense exercise, gunnery exercise, cross-deck helicopter operations, anti-submarine warfare training, and complex surface warfare maneuvering tactics. The successful execution of such a diverse and complex exercise was made possible by the relationships and familiarity the two navies have forged through 22 consecutive years of operating together during CARAT.
U.S. Marines from Company E, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines moved ashore via amphibious assault vehicles launched from the well deck of USS Ashland (LSD 48) during an amphibious landing with their Royal Thai Marine counterparts. The two forces moved together across the beach and conducted building searches and security sweeps while securing the beachhead. Following the assault Marines from both nations worked side-by-side in jungle warfare training and a noncombatant evacuation operation (NEO).
During the harbor phase Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4 and the Royal Thai Navy Construction and Development Regiment started construction on a library at the Khao Chi Chan School near Sattahip. Construction on the library used new building techniques that had not been previously used in a CARAT exercise.
“It’s been a great opportunity for the Seabees to learn an innovative building technique with our partners here in Thailand,” said Ens. Michelle Fitzgerald, officer-in-charge, NMCB 4. “Not only are we able to teach and learn through varying construction methods, we are able to build something alongside our counterparts that can be used by the Khao Chi Chan School for years to come.”
Also participating in the harbor phase were sailors from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1. Together with their Royal Thai Navy counterparts they completed four days of dive training followed by a diving exercise while onboard the Safeguard-class salvage ship USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52). The training included a variety of topics including medical, equipment checks and communication methods.
“I was very excited to work with our Royal Thai Navy counterparts this year and they were very eager to learn from our team,” said Lt. Mark Snyder, officer in charge, MDSU 1. “The Royal Thai Navy divers showed great energy throughout the exercise and we were able to tailor our training to the areas in which they were most eager to learn.”
Community service events and performances by the U.S. 7th Fleet rock band "Orient Express” were held throughout the exercise and enabled sailors and Marines to give back to the community.
After more than two decades of annual CARAT training engagements between U.S. and Thai Armed Forces, the exercise remains a model for cooperation that has evolved in complexity and enables both nations to refine maritime operations and tactics.
CARAT is a series of bilateral naval exercises between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste. CARAT 2016 is the most complex series to date. Its continuing relevance for more than two decades speaks to the high quality of exercise events and the enduring value of regional cooperation among allies and partners in South and Southeast Asia.
Additional U.S. assets that participated in CARAT Thailand 2016 include the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63), Safeguard-class salvage ship USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52), USNS Montford Point (T-ESD 1), a P-3C Orion, staff from CTF 73 and CDS 7, Coastal Riverine Group (CRG) 1, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, Naval Beach Unit (NBU) 7 and the 7th Fleet rock band "Orient Express."
Commander, Task Force 73 and Destroyer Squadron 7 staff conduct advanced planning, organize resources and directly support the execution of maritime exercises such as the bilateral CARAT series, the Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) with Vietnam, and the multilateral Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.