An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Nov. 16, 2021

Expeditionary Fast Transport Ship Supports Bilateral Exercise with Indonesia

By Leslie Hull-Ryde Military Sealift Command Far East

JAVA SEA -- Military Sealift Command’s Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport USNS Millinocket (T-EPF 3) took part in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia, in the Java Sea, Nov. 6.

The annual bilateral exercise included the full spectrum of naval capabilities and features cooperative evolutions that highlight the ability of the United States and Indonesia Navies to work together.

“With the constantly changing dynamics in the region, I believe interoperability is very important in achieving our common goal which is peace and stability in the region,” said Capt. Erwin F. Lao, master of USNS Millinocket.

“Thorough planning and an open line of communication between both countries allow us to share ideas, practices and procedures – not just during the exercise but whenever we come together to execute a successful mission. The chance to engage like this is beneficial to both of us in the long run as we understand each other’s capabilities and how to maximize and augment them when working together.”

During the at-sea phase of the exercise, U.S. Navy assets worked with ships and aircraft from the Indonesian Navy, known as Tentera Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL) In addition to Millinocket, U.S. Navy ships and aircraft included Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 18), embarked MH-60S Seahawk helicopter of Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 23 and a P-8A Poseidon aircraft assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72.

The afloat portion of CARAT featured complex at-sea training, including divisional tactics designed to enhance communication as ships sail together in complex maneuvers. It also consisted of a tracking exercise aimed at increasing both navies’ abilities to track and pursue targets through the coordinated deployment of surface ships and maritime patrol aircraft. Other focus areas included surface warfare; visit, board, search and seizure drills; mobile diving and salvage training; a gunnery exercise, maritime patrol operations; and exchanges between explosive ordnance disposal technicians.

Lao believes these CARAT events provided his crew and its Indonesian counterparts an opportunity to enhance interoperability, readiness and understanding. He adds that the 11-day exercise also strengthened the longstanding relationship between the two navies.

“Being in command of the USNS Millinocket since 2016, I witnessed the tremendous benefits my crew gained as a result of our interactions with Indonesia and other allies and partners in the region,” Lao said.

“Teamwork is just one of the attributes my crew has developed over the years through social and professional interaction with our allies and partners in the region. It also helps my crew to understand and appreciate better the different cultures in the region.

“It is a privilege to have that opportunity to train with our allies through a series of engagements like CARAT.”

Military Sealift Command Far East ensures approximately 50 ships in the Indo-Pacific region, including Millinocket, are manned, trained and equipped to deliver essential supplies, fuel, cargo, and equipment to warfighters, both at sea and on shore.

As the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet employs 50-70 ships and submarines across the Western Pacific and Indian oceans. U.S. 7th Fleet routinely operates and interacts with 35 maritime nations while conducting missions to preserve and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific Region.

CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
362,841
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
Army CID Expands its Jurisdiction in Cobra Gold 2024, Major Exercise in Pacific Region
Special Agent Chow meets with Chonburi Provincial Police to discuss tactics, techniques, and procedures during Cobra Gold 2024.
March 20, 2024 - Supervisory Special Agent Erin Chow, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation, Far East Field Office became the first Army CID special agent to participate in the multinational Indo-Pacific military exercise Cobra Gold,...

U.S. Army Engineers Complete Wet Gap Crossing with the ROK Army
ROK Soldiers assigned to the 5th Corps Engineering Brigade River Crossing Company and Soldiers assigned to the 11th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division ROK/U.S. Combined Division, complete construction on a joint bridge, during a combined wet gap crossing exercise, near the Imjin River in Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do from March 11-20, 2024. ROK and U.S. Army units utilized aviation, armor, air defense, chemical, biological and defense capabilities to train the security and protection of the site during the exercise that was designed to verify interoperability through the construction of a joint pontoon bridge. (U.S. Army photo by Pak, Chin-U)
March 20, 2024 - The 11th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, 2nd Infantry-ROK/U.S. Combined Division joins forces with the ROK army 5th Engineer Brigade to participate in a combined wet gap crossing training...

Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the Upcoming Trilateral Leaders’ Summit of the Philippines, Japan, and the United States
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 19, 2024 - President Biden will host President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the Philippines and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan on April 11 at the White House for the first trilateral U.S.-Japan-Philippines leaders’ summit...

Lightning from the South Korean Sky: 5th ANGLICO at Warrior Shield 24
March 19, 2024 - To strengthen crisis response in the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. Marines with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, and the Republic of Korea Marine Corps conducted exercise...

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 18, 2024 - Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout...