After completing the first three exercises of their current rotation in the Indo-Pacific, a group of subject matter experts from Marine Rotational Force - Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA) traveled to Brunei to join the U.S. Navy for its most recent iteration of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise series from Nov. 18 to 25. Hosted by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), MRF-SEA Marines were joined by attached forces from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, resulting in a purpose-built U.S. Marine Corps team ready to train and engage with Brunei forces. While the U.S. Navy executed the at-sea phase of CARAT Brunei 2024, Marines trained ashore with the RBAF to build improved relations and bolster bilateral interoperability.

CARAT Brunei is a bilateral exercise designed to promote regional security, cooperation, and to enhance interoperability between the United States Armed Forces and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. This year, U.S. Marines and Sailors joined the RBAF personnel to achieve these exercise objectives and maintaining a safe and secure region. MRF-SEA personnel played a critical role in the exercise through multiple training engagements with the RBAF, sharing knowledge on their military roles and occupations as subject matter experts. During the week-long exercise, the RBAF forces were trained in Marine Corps martial arts (MCMAP), non-lethal weapons employment and Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT); three critical areas identified by exercise planners as essential for increased capability and interoperability.

“What we can learn from this exercise is that communication is really important when it comes to learning new skills, which is essential,” said 1370 Lieutenant Junior Grade Muhammad Hifzil Iman bin Haji Mazin, Royal Brunei Armed Forces. “Things like [Marine Corps Martial Arts Program] are really beneficial to us because we don’t have that training here in Brunei.”

U.S. Marines and Sailors with MRF-SEA have been on rotation in Southeast Asia since October to carry out eight exercises in six different countries throughout the region. The Marine Corps sends this purpose-built rotational force to countries like Brunei in order to reinforce the strategic partnership between our nations, increase interoperability between our military forces, and ensure a safe, secure, free and open Indo-Pacific.

“In real world operations, the skills we are teaching here are applicable when we’re talking about embassy reinforcement, embassy defense, and the moments before our crisis action teams are able to get on deck,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kevin Huff. “Being able to have this level of interoperability with a strategic partner is absolutely crucial.”

As CARAT Brunei concluded on Nov. 25, personnel involved departed the exercise knowing that the relationship between Brunei and American forces were stronger than when they arrived. The Marines of MRF-SEA played a critical role in making the exercise a success, sharing their expertise with RBAF personnel in key areas, ultimately improving our ability to integrate and execute operations as a combined force. As strategic partners, achieving effective interoperability is key for our collective success.

MRF-SEA Marines and Sailors will remain in Southeast Asia through March 2025 to train alongside partner forces in Singapore and Thailand in Exercise Valiant Mark 2024, Exercise Cobra Gold 2025, and Exercise Valiant Mark 2025. With each completed exercise, MRF-SEA further solidifying our commitment to each allied and partner nation, while ensuring regional stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.