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Third Phase of CARAT 2003 Series Opens in Singapore

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030715-09

Release Date: 7/15/2003 5:57:00 PM

By Senior Chief Journalist Carolyn Dettling, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Public Affairs

SINGAPORE (NNS) -- With leaders from both the Republic of Singapore navy (RSN) and U.S. Navy emphasizing its training value, the ninth edition of the annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) phase here opened with a ceremony at Changi Naval Base July 14.

More than 1,500 U.S. Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, and Republic of Singapore Armed Forces personnel from the navy, army and air force, are taking part in the exercise, which will include a variety of training evolutions at sea and ashore.

RSN Fleet Commander Col. James Soon spoke of the genesis and growth of CARAT during his remarks at the ceremony. "I have seen exercise CARAT expand and evolve in terms of both complexity and scope to now encompass sea, air and land activities," he said. "At sea in particular, the exercises have become increasingly more sophisticated."

CARAT training includes events in areas such as naval gunnery, air defense, air combat, diving and salvage, and ship to shore operations. A series of anti-terrorism/force protection drills are scheduled, as well.

Soon also emphasized the value of the opportunity for professional growth provided by CARAT, but encouraged pursuit of "the many opportunities that will be presented to deepen understanding of each others' culture and strengthen friendship." Thus will help future generations of leaders from both countries better relate to one another, he concluded.

"We're honored to call you training partners. That we share the ideals of peace and prosperity throughout the region makes this bilateral exchange one of great worth," said Rear Adm. Jeff Cassias, the U.S. Navy's executive agent for CARAT during his remarks.

Praising the sophistication of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Cassias remarked that it is important to note that the U.S. commitment to CARAT comes despite significant taskings for U.S. naval forces worldwide. "These various taskings have resulted in the cancellation of some exercises this year. But that's not the case with CARAT Singapore," said Cassias. "We have a comprehensive schedule of events in place that will provide top quality training opportunities for our forces afloat and ashore. The training value of these events for our U.S. forces is significant."

Six RSN ships and more than a dozen SAF aircraft are taking part along with the U.S. CARAT task group, consisting of the guided-missile cruiser USS Vincennes (CG 49), guided-missile frigate USS Curts (FFG 38), dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) with an embarked Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), and the rescue and salvage ship USS Safeguard (ARS 50).

Other U.S. assets include several F/A-18D Hornet aircraft from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, a P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and crew from Patrol Squadron (VP) 4, an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) (HSL) 51, along with personnel from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, the Joint Interagency Task Force, Sailors from the U.S. Coast Guard, Pacific Area, and agents of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Singapore.

Cassias, who operates from Singapore as commander of Logistics Group Western Pacific, is responsible for overall CARAT coordination in his executive agent role as Commander, Task Force 712. Capt. Terry Bragg, commander of Destroyer Squadron 1, embarked in Vincennes, leads the CARAT task group. Lt. Col. Timothy Armstrong is commanding officer of the MAGTF.

Bragg's staff is based in San Diego, as is 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. The MAGTF, Landing Force CARAT, is established annually by direction of the commanding general of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan, and is drawn from a variety of Marine Corps units. VMFA-242 is deployed to Iwakuni, Japan, and based at Marine Corps Air Station Mirarmar, Calif. VP-4 is deployed to Misawa and Okinawa, Japan, and is based in Kaneohe, Hawaii. HSL-51 is forward deployed to Atsugi, Japan. EODMU 5 is based in Guam.

CARAT, a regularly scheduled series of bilateral military training exercises with several Association of Southeast Asian Nation 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.

More than 1,300 U.S. Sailors and Marines are participating in the Singapore phase of CARAT 2003. Exercises with Thailand and Brunei have already taken place this year.