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CARAT takes SE Asia by storm

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 8/24/2003

Story by Cpl. John F. Silwanus

WHITE BEACH, Okinawa, Japan(Aug. 25, 2003) -- The nearly 450 Marines and Sailors of Landing Force Cooperation Afloat Readiness And Training recently returned home to Okinawa after two months of traveling the South China Sea and visiting several different Southeast Asian nations along the way.

While deployed, servicemembers trained with their counterparts from Thailand, Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia. The landing force also reached out to the communities within the countries with several community relations and medical and dental civic action projects during the float.

"As the name of the exercise alludes to we were able to improve our readiness and training throughout this deployment," said Lt. Col. Timothy T. Armstrong, commanding officer, LF CARAT. "But, as the name also implies, we took full advantage of the opportunity to both work closely with; and to step back, observe and learn from our host nation counterparts."

The landing force began training in Thailand with the Royal Thai Marines at the Ban Chan Khrem live fire range. Much of the evolution in Thailand revolved around executing a multi-element attack on an objective.

The Marines, both U.S. and Royal Thai, took turns assaulting the live-fire range throughout the weeklong exercise. Each service displayed their technique of how to conduct an assault and accomplish the mission.

"We were able to spend a couple of extra days with the Royal Thai Marines, and in that time we really were able to get to know them and learn about what they do in the Royal Thai Marine Corps," said Lance Cpl. Cody Roberts, machine gunner, 3rd Platoon, Light Armored Reconnaissance Company, Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. "They were very friendly people and really wanted to know about what we did and how we worked together."

During the evolution and after training concluded, the Marines and Sailors were able to help the community in Thailand by conducting two medical and dental Civic Action Projects, as well as help a local school with cleanup and other work.

"I think we did them a great service in the time we had," said Cpl. Nestor Cruz, a Crestview, Fla., native. "It is the best feeling in the Marine Corps to help out those who are not as fortunate as we are. Contributing like this makes me want to go out and help every time a project like this comes up."

With the Thailand phase complete, the training in Brunei was next. The Landing Force taught the Royal Brunei Landing Force the purpose and proper technique of an amphibious landing. The training consisted mostly of the amphibious landing attack, but also included several symposiums to instruct the RBLF on how the Marine Corps emphasizes the role of Noncommissioned Officers in conducting training.

"It was the first time during an assault that I have carried a (Squad Automatic Weapon) and I loved it. We had good coordination from our platoon sergeant and squad leaders, which helped everything run smoothly."

The landing force then steamed to Singapore for a week of training. The training there began with Landing Force Marines and Sailors assaulting the Singaporean Army's High Confidence Course, which most said they enjoyed.

"The course was more fun than it was challenging," said Lance Cpl. Samuel Batts, heavy equipment operator, Combat Engineer Company, Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, now attached to LF CARAT. "We were always connected to the course by a safety harness, so it didn't really challenge me physically. For some people the challenge was being very high in the air, which was the fun part for me."

After the confidence course the Marines of the GCE moved on to train their Singaporean counterparts on how the Marine Corps conducts Military Operations in Urbanized Terrain, or MOUT, at the Singapore MOUT facility. The Marines also shot the Singapore Armed Forces Advanced Qualification Range during the phase. After Singapore, the landing force moved onto the triple canopy jungles of Malaysia. During their eight-day stay in the jungle, the Marines and Sailors received classes on jungle survival, a refresher course on jungle patrolling and learned the techniques used in an assault on a jungle objective. For many of the servicemembers, the training was very different than what they have seen before.

"There is so much more potential for learning about the jungle in a country like Malaysia, than we ever could have back home," said Lance Cpl. Andrew Guest, receiver transmitter operator, 1st platoon, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. "These people actually use the jungle to survive, and in real life situations."

The Marines and Sailors ideas on the training varied.

"The best training we were able to conduct was when we were granted platoon time and we could train our Marines as we felt necessary," said Sgt. Brian Wallgren, platoon sergeant, 3rd Platoon, Company India, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.

Regarding the overall LF CARAT mission, Marines felt the training was successful overall.

"As a landing force, we achieved what we set out to do, which was to interact with foreign militaries and feel each other out," said Master Gunnery Sgt. John F. Singleton, operation chief, LF CARAT and Tampa, Fl., native. "I think the countries we trained with were really happy (with the combined training)."

While training was a big part of CARAT many of the Marines felt that one of the lasting memories they will have are the people they met, and their interaction with the foreign militaries.

"It was great to visit the different cultures and see how they live; it made me appreciate how I live in the States," said Lance Cpl. Frank Ranalli, a Canton, Ohio native. "A lot of the people we met were very friendly and they wanted to know all about us. They made this experience worthwhile."