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Task Group Reaches Malaysia for Next CARAT Phase

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040712-11
Release Date: 7/12/2004 12:56:00 PM

By Lt.j.g. Todd Spitler and Chief Journalist Melinda Larson, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Task Group Public Affairs

KUANTAN, Malaysia (NNS) -- The five-ship Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Task Group arrived here July 12 for the fourth phase of the 2004 edition of the exercise series.

Held annually throughout Southeast Asia, CARAT began in 1995 by combining a number of existing exercises into a series to be conducted sequentially. The CARAT Task group arrives from Thailand, where that phase was conducted June 30-July 9. CARAT Singapore was May 31-June 11 while CARAT Brunei took place June 21-26. The final phase will occur in the Philippines.

The ships' arrival was a lively one, as traditional Malaysian dancers and musicians performed on the pier as Sailors watched and then joined the artists for photographs.

"The dancers and musicians gave us a wonderfully warm and colorful welcome to Malaysia," said Capt. Buzz Little, commander of Destroyer Squadron One and the U.S. CARAT Task Group. "It's a great beginning to the Malaysia phase of CARAT."

More than 1,500 U.S. Sailors and Coastguardsmen from the Task Group, along with Navy F/A-18F, F/A-18C, P-3C and SH-60 aircraft are taking part in the exercise, as are several Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) ships, and personnel and aircraft from several Royal Malaysian Air Force squadrons. A team of U.S. Army veterinary personnel is also participating.

The CARAT Task Group, under the leadership of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 1, is made up of the U.S. Coast Guard high endurance cutter Mellon (WHEC 717), the dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), the guided missile destroyers - a CARAT first - USS Russell (DDG 59) and USS McCampbell (DDG 85), and the rescue and salvage ship USS Salvor (ARS 52).

CARAT Malaysia phase officially kicked off with a brief ceremony shortly after the ships' arrival.

"CARAT can be likened as a bridge between our armed forces to improve combined capabilities and interoperability," said First Adm. Mohammed Noordin Bin HJ Ali, commander of the RMN's Naval Area 1, during the ceremony. "I hope both parties will learn from one another, share experiences and knowledge and most importantly, enhance the bond of friendship between people of different creeds and cultures."

A wide range of exercise events are scheduled here, including seamanship, at-sea communications, air-to-air combat, diving and salvage, amphibious operations, and vessel boarding.

The Portable Allied Command, Control and Communications Terminal (PAC3T) system will be put to use and demonstrated for the first time during the Malaysia phase of CARAT, which is being installed at the CARAT headquarters. The system allows the two navies to communicate securely and provides an operational picture that can track the locations of participating units.

In addition, a variety of seminars in support areas such as medical, logistics and public affairs are scheduled, as are social events.

"Apart from exercises involving armed forces from both nations, the local community will also benefit from this exercise," Noordin said. U.S. and Malaysian personnel will work together on several community service, and medical, dental and veterinary civic action projects.

This is the 10th year of CARAT Malaysia.

Commander, Destroyer Squadron 1, is based in San Diego, as is USS McCampbell. The cutter Mellon is home ported in Seattle. USS Russell and USS Salvor are homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Fort McHenry is part of the U.S. 7th Fleet's forward deployed naval force (FDNF) operating from Sasebo, Japan. The F/A-18s and crews are assigned to Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) 195, 192 and 102, forward deployed to Atsugi, Japan. The SH-60 and crew are attached to Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL ) 49, based at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. The P-3C and crew are from Patrol Squadron (VP) 46, based at Whidbey Island, Wash. The U.S. Army veterinary team consists of personnel assigned to Yokosuka Branch, Japan District Veterinary Command.