Alliance Strengthened During CARAT Thailand
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS050627-04
Release Date: 6/27/2005 11:25:00 AM
By Chief Journalist Melinda Larson, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 1 Public Affairs
SATTAHIP, Thailand (NNS) -- With the U.S. and Thailand national flags flying side by side, the Thailand phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2005 ended here June 26 with a look back at an old alliance and an eye on the friendship’s future.
CARAT is an annual series of bilateral military training exercises with several Southeast Asian nations, designed to enhance the interoperability of their respective sea services. Capt. Buzz Little, commander, Destroyer Squadron 1 and U.S. CARAT task group commander, who has led the CARAT task group for two consecutive years, delivered his closing remarks to about 100 U.S. and RTN officers and Sailors who stood in ranks on a lawn area in front of CARAT headquarters.
“As I look out into this audience, I not only see the future of CARAT, but the future of our great nations, as well. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with the officers, Sailors and Marines of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) and Marine Corps the past two years,” Little said. “I want to express my sincere appreciation to you for hosting this phase of CARAT 2005, and for your steadfast leadership and dedication to this exercise.”
“These are success operations from the American and Thai military cooperation to develop ability of personnel and military strategy to be able to increase good interoperability,” said RTN Rear Adm. Supot Soodprasert, commander of Frigate Squadron 1, who led his Navy’s CARAT task group. “These also indicate good long-term relationship of both nations.”
The fast-moving, weeklong exercise covered a myriad of naval capabilities involving sea, air and amphibious assets. Pierside, Sailors shared their skills and techniques in shipboard firefighting, diving operations and maritime law enforcement.
Musicians from both nations joined together when the 7th Fleet Band "Orient Express" shared their craft with the Royal Thai Marine Corps band during workshops and concerts throughout the area.
During combined community relations projects, Sailors delivered toys and candy to schoolchildren.
Moving out to sea, the RTN successfully downed a U.S.-launched drone with its Apside air-to-air missile. The drone was launched by a Commander, Fleet Activities Okinawa drone detachment embarked in USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43).
The amphibious dock landing ship also embarked Royal Thai Marines overnight before they were taken ashore by Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5, Det. Western Pacific Alfa's landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) for an amphibious raid - a centerpiece event of CARAT Thailand.
Using the flight deck of USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60), RTN helicopter pilots earned deck landing qualifications flying their Bell 212 and S76 helicopters.
After getting comfortable in the water together during pierside events from the rescue and salvage ship USS Safeguard (ARS 50), U.S. and RTN divers took their skills to an open-ocean dive.
Tactical freeplays were also thrown into the at-sea mix of training evolutions. But according to Little, the events were but small examples compared to the ability of the two navies to work bilaterally toward common goals.
"The relationship of our two great nations is forged by over 75 years of mutual cooperation and respect,” said Little. “Tempered with the expertise and dedication of our officers and Sailors, our nations continue to ensure the continued freedom of commerce, maritime security for this region, and for Thailand.”
Besides Fort McHenry, Safeguard and Rodney M. Davis, the CARAT task group is also made up of the guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60). Other elements including P-3C Orion and SH-60 Seahawk aircraft, U.S. Navy Seabees and a variety of support commands also took part in CARAT.
The RTN task group consisted of HTMS Phuttayotfachulalok, HTMS Taksin, HTMS Rattanakosin, HTMS Sichang and HTMS Bangrachan. Other units include the RTN’s Underwater Warfare Squadron and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, Special Warfare Squadron and four motor-launch sweeper boats.
Rear Adm. Kevin M. Quinn, commander of Logistics Group Western Pacific, who operates from Singapore, is responsible for overall CARAT coordination for U.S. participants in his executive agent role as Commander, Task Force 712.
Little and his staff, based in San Diego, are embarked in Fort McHenry. Paul Hamilton is homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Rodney M. Davis in Everett, Wash. Fort McHenry and Safeguard are forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan.
CARAT Thailand was the second phase of the six-phase exercise series and was preceeded by CARAT Singapore.
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