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Malaysian Troops Embark Boxer For CARAT

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050715-16
Release Date: 7/15/2005 3:03:00 PM

By Lithographer’s Mate Seaman Jessica R. Vargas, Logistics Group Western Pacific Public Affairs

KEMAMAN, Malaysia (NNS) -- More than 150 Malaysian service members embarked USS Boxer (LHD 4) July 11 in support of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Malaysia.

CARAT is an annual series of bilateral military exercises between the United States and various Southeast Asia nations, involving thousands of U.S. Sailors and members of Royal Malaysian Armed Forces, primarily the Malaysian Army and Royal Malaysian Navy.

“CARAT will provide the Malaysians the opportunity to work with and experience the U.S Navy. This allows Boxer to demonstrate our amphibious operations,” said Boxer’s Combat Cargo Officer, Marine Chief Warrant Officer Stephan Cambell.

For many Malaysian troops, this is the first time aboard a U.S. ship. While embarked, the troops will be working with Boxer Sailors to perform a beach assault in Southern Malaysia, and learn about capabilities unique to the ship.

“We are very impressed with Boxer’s capabilities and level of advancement. The ship is very big and is like a floating city,” said Cmdr. Zainol Abidin Jusoh of the Royal Malaysian Navy.

CARAT Malaysia is the third phase of six designed to improve combined capabilities between the U.S. and the armed forces of several Southeast Asia nations including Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.