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Thailand Phase of CARAT Exercise Series Underway

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040630-13

Release Date: 6/30/2004 8:00:00 PM

By Chief Journalist Melinda Larson, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Task Group Public Affairs

SATTAHIP, Thailand (NNS) -- A combined force of nearly 4,000 U.S. Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, and Royal Thai Armed Forces counterparts are set to break new ground during the Thailand phase of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) series, which began here June 30 with a traditional ceremony.

Sixteen ships, along with a variety of aircraft and other units are taking part in the exercise, the largest bilateral event of the year between the two navies. This year's edition, the 10th, contains a number of CARAT Thailand firsts.

"We have many reasons to be excited about the exercise this year," said Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn, commander of Logistics Group Western Pacific, and in his role as the executive agent for CARAT, commander of Task Force 712, during the opening ceremony. "For the first time, two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers - USS Russell (DDG 59) and USS McCampbell (DDG 85) - will take part. Along with the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mellon (WHEC 717), the dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), and the rescue and salvage ship USS Salvor (ARS 52). The U.S. task group is the most robust CARAT group ever and a symbol of commitment, as well as an example of the maturity of CARAT."

Other new initiatives that exemplify the growth of the exercise, Quinn said, are on the communications front. The Portable Allied Command, Control and Communications Terminal system will be put to use during the exercise for the first time and will be installed on board His Thai Majesty's Ship Taksin.

"This system not only allows the two navies to communicate securely, but also provides us with a combined operational picture that can be used by our commanders at sea to maintain situational awareness of their units and tactical operations," Quinn said.

Additionally, through demonstrations aboard McCampbell, U.S. Navy communications specialists will introduce the Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange (CENTRIX) system. CENTRIX is a global Internet protocol architecture that allows U.S. forces to share information and operational planning with allies.

This year, a combined, U.S. Navy, Royal Thai Navy (RTN) staff will exercise command and control of the combined task group from aboard Russell.

"At sea, the task group will focus on the many exercise hallmarks of CARAT, which include a full series of basic through advanced events designed to shape our warfighting skills," Quinn said. "These standard events are an important part of the exercise, but we will also be conducting a variety of other exercise events, many born of a changing world situation and as a result of new threats."

These include visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) symposia and practical demonstrations at sea by the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mellon with RTN Navy and Coast Guard counterparts, as well as symposia on legal issues of mutual interest, such as the Law of the Sea, maritime interdiction operations and rules of engagement.

Amphibious operations with Royal Thai Marines from the dock landing ship Fort McHenry are also scheduled, as are diving and salvage operations with Royal Thai Navy divers from the rescue and salvage ship Salvor. The RTN will put four minesweepers to sea during the exercise to hunt for U.S. mines deployed by a P-3C Orion aircraft.

"This year, CARAT will not only educate and give experience to U.S. and Thai forces, but it will also be beneficial to local civilians," said Rear Adm. Tawewuth Pongsapipatt, commander of the RTN's Frigate Squadron 2, during the ceremony.

U.S. Navy Seabees began work in early June on a multi-purpose building at a school in nearby Rayong province. Construction will be completed and the facility dedicated during the exercise. Several medical, dental and veterinary community action projects will also take place, providing free care for residents in and around the Sattahip area. Likewise, a number of community service projects by CARAT Task Group Sailors and Coast Guardsmen are scheduled.

"We receive so much kindness and friendship here, and we are glad we have an opportunity to make contributions that will benefit the well being of our Thai friends," Quinn added.

Nearly 1,400 U.S. Sailors and Coast Guardsmen, along with 2,600 Royal Thai Navy and Marine personnel are participating in the exercise.

CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually throughout Southeast Asia that began in 1995 by combining a number of existing exercises to be conducted sequentially by a single U.S. Navy task group. CARAT Thailand is the third of the five phase annual exercise. CARAT Singapore was conducted from May 31-June 11, while CARAT Brunei took place from June 21-26. Other phases this year include the Philippines and Malaysia.