Malaysia Phase of CARAT Closes
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS050718-03
Release Date: 7/18/2005 1:06:00 PM
By Chief Journalist Melinda Larson, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 1 Public Affairs
KEMAMAN, Malaysia (NNS) -- The Malaysia phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) ended here July 18 with an exercise debrief and closing ceremony at a local resort. About 100 U.S. and Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) officers and Sailors attended the ceremony, marking the end of an exercise designed to safeguard freedom of the seas and maritime security.
From practicing basic seamanship to interdicting mock pirates, events during the 11th annual Malaysia phase of CARAT accomplished the exercise’s goals of strengthening ties between the two navies, according to the commander of the U.S. CARAT task group.
“It is evident that by working together to expand our mutual capability, and to train our Sailors to use productivity and innovation, we ensure that Malaysia and the United States will continue to act together to provide maritime security and freedom of commerce within the Southeast Asian region, and on the sea lanes of the world,” Capt. Buzz Little, commander of Destroyer Squadron 1, said during his closing remarks.
Little and his staff are currently embarked aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4), marking the first time a large deck amphibious ship has been used in CARAT’s 11-year history.
In addition to flying Little’s command flag, Boxer served as the embarkation platform for 160 Royal Malaysian Army paratroopers, who waged an amphibious assault after being taken ashore aboard landing craft, air-cushion (LCAC) from Assault Craft Unit 5 during the three-day at-sea phase.
Maintaining a rigorous operational phase at sea and ashore, the officers and Sailors from both navies proved they could work together to create a unified front.
“The current global trends seem to demonstrate much emphasis on interdependence and cooperation to achieve better results and heighten sustainability,” said Maj. Gen. Dato’ Abdullah bin Babu, general officer-in-charge of the Royal Malaysian Armed Forces 3rd Division during his closing remarks. “I envisage that future CARAT exercises would be further expanded to meet our national defense policy. With your presence and contribution in this region, I believe it will enhance maintaining security, peace and stability in this region.”
Air warfare, tactical freeplays, and a live-fire drone event were also highlights of the at-sea phase that, besides Boxer, included the frigate USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60), the RMN frigate Leiku and corvette Laksamana Muhammad Amin. USS Safeguard (ARS 50) and a Malaysian dive vessel conducted dive operations together at a nearby island.
Information sharing between the CARAT ships was accomplished by using the Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange System (CENTRIXS), installed at Kuantan Naval Base. CENTRIXS allowed leaders ashore to maintain situational awareness and interact with afloat forces.
“This communications process, combined with our continued emphasis on productivity at sea and our ability to plan and execute complex maritime security and warfare scenarios at sea, serve to strengthen our mutual respect and understanding of how to work together in a cooperative effort for the future,” Little noted.
Sailors from both navies also interacted during a community service project and dental and medical civic action projects.
During a combined sports day, the two navies took a day off from ship’s work to display teamwork during a combined-team volleyball, soccer and tug-of-war. Boxer and Lekiu comprised the blue team, while Rodney M. Davis and the Laksamana Muhammad Amin were the opposing orange team.
“Your efforts, your skills and your teamwork displayed on the field are indicative of the spirit resonant at sea,” Little said.
Little and his staff, based in San Diego, are scheduled to transfer to USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) to complete the last three phases of the CARAT series – Indonesia, Brunei and Republic of the Philippines.
CARAT is a regularly scheduled series of bilateral military training exercises with several Southeast Asian nations.
Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn, commander of Logistics Group Western Pacific, is responsible for overall CARAT coordination for U.S. participants in his executive agent role as Commander, Task Force 712.
Boxer is homeported in San Diego and Rodney M. Davis in Everett, Wash. Safeguard is forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan.
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