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CARAT task group to conduct annual Southeast Asia exercise

7th Fleet Release

Release Date: 6/02/2003

Exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training public affairs

SINGAPORE -- A U.S. Navy task group with an embarked U.S. Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) has formed for the ninth annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise series in Southeast Asia this June-July.

CARAT, a regularly scheduled series of bilateral military training exercises with several Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries, is designed to enhance interoperability of the U.S. sea services and those of friends and allies throughout the region in a variety of mission areas of mutual benefit. The CARAT task group is made up of the guided missile cruiser USS Vincennes (CG 49), dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), guided missile frigate USS Curts (FFG 38), rescue and salvage ship USS Safeguard (ARS 50) and the 400-strong MAGTF, Landing Force CARAT, embarked in the task group.

During the various phases of CARAT, which include exercises with Thailand, Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia, training is scheduled in skill areas such as at-sea maneuvering and communications, command and control, diving and salvage, and amphibious operations. The specific focus of training and the specific CARAT task group elements participating in each exercise phase will vary based on training goals. A variety of seminars are also scheduled, as are social events that give exercise participants a chance to develop personal relationships so critical to combined operations.

Sailors and Marines will take time during each CARAT phase to participate in civil affairs, medical and/or community service projects.

Rear Adm. Jeff Cassias, Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific, who operates from Singapore, is responsible for overall CARAT coordination in his executive agent role as Commander, Task Force 712. Capt. Terry Bragg, commander of Destroyer Squadron One, embarked in Vincennes, leads the CARAT task group. Lt. Col. Timothy Armstrong is commanding officer of Landing Force CARAT.

Commodore Bragg's staff is based in San Diego, as is USS Curts. Vincennes, Harpers Ferry and Safeguard are part of the U.S. 7th fleet's Forward Deployed Naval Force (FDNF) operating from Japan, with Vincennes forward deployed to Yokosuka and Harpers Ferry and Safeguard forward deployed to Sasebo. Landing Force Carat is established annually by direction of the commanding general of the Third Marine Expeditionary force in Okinawa, Japan, and is drawn from a variety of Marine Corps units.

Approximately 1,500 U.S. Sailors and Marines will take part in CARAT 2003. The number of participants in CARAT partner countries varies.