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SEACAT Fosters Exchange Between Future Naval Leaders

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060523-07
Release Date: 5/23/2006 5:00:00 PM

By Senior Chief Journalist Melinda Larson, Destroyer Squadron 1 Public Affairs

ABOARD USS TORTUGA, South China Sea (NNS) -- Tracking three simulated suspected rogue vessels, junior officers from six Southeast Asia nations are working together to plot mock maritime interceptions during the fifth annual Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism (SEACAT) maritime security exercise, which began May 20.

SEACAT is a weeklong at-sea exercise designed to highlight the value of information sharing and multinational coordination within a scenario that gives participating navies practical maritime interception training opportunities. The exercise between the U.S. Navy and the navies of Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines offers 10 liaison officers a chance to work with their peers from neighboring countries to address maritime threats in the region.

“Sharing tactics and techniques during an exercise scenario gives us all a common framework in the event of a real-life operation,” said Lt. Kirk Lee, SEACAT coordinator assigned to the staff of Destroyer Squadron 1 embarked aboard USS Tortuga (LSD 46). “SEACAT provides a forum where we can learn how to effectively exchange information and operate together.”

Split into two groups of five, the officers man the combined SEACAT watch floor 24 hours a day aboard the SEACAT task group’s command ship, Tortuga. With the assistance of Lee, the teams learn how to decipher intelligence data received from a variety of sources, including each navy’s headquarters and surveillance aircraft from the U.S., Philippine and Royal Thai navies.

“This exercise is important because it helps us to enhance our operations and our understanding of how the other countries work,” said Lt. Cmdr. Anuar Mohamed of the Royal Malaysian navy. “We are fighting together against terrorism, and by having this exercise, we can increase our intelligence capabilities by sharing information.”

Each day, the groups brief the exercise task group commander on their progress and the day’s events, offering solutions and plans as to possible actions that should be taken against the exercise's rogue vessels.

“We don’t have the monopoly on great ideas. By working together, the teams have developed excellent plans of action,” said Capt. Al Collins, commander of the SEACAT exercise task group and commander of Destroyer Squadron 1.

Throughout the weeklong exercise, the officers will receive boarding tactics and techniques training from U.S. Coast Guard visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) teams. Traveling by rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIB), the group is also visiting the other U.S. SEACAT task group ships. Living and working aboard a U.S. naval vessel gives the officers a slice-of-life peek at how the U.S. Navy operates.

“This is my first voyage on board a U.S. Navy ship,” said Mohamed. “I’ve seen U.S. Navy ships on television and in port, but to have the real life experience is very interesting.”

The future leaders of the six Southeast Asia navies are building both professional and personal relationships with newfound friends from neighboring nations that will help fortify the fight against at-sea piracy, drug smuggling, and trafficking in persons into the next decade.

“We need to work with the various countries and support each other in this region,” said Republic of Singapore navy Capt. Tan Yong, who is the equivalent of a U.S. Navy lieutenant. “Regional cooperation is already in place, and when it comes to piracy in this area, we need everybody’s help. SEACAT is a good opportunity for us all to exercise together”.

In addition to Tortuga, the other task group ships include the frigate USS Crommelin (FFG 37), destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70), Coast Guard cutter USCGC Sherman (WHEC 720), and rescue and salvage ship USS Salvor (ARS 52). The Military Sealift Command ship MV Sgt. William R. Button (T-AK 3012) is also taking part, in the role of a suspect vessel.

Immediately following SEACAT, the five ships will form the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) task group. Exercise CARAT will be conducted with the armed forces of the six SEACAT participating nations. Collins will also lead the CARAT task group through the three-month bilateral series of exercises.