CARAT Maritime Exercise to Build Joint Capabilities in Malaysia
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060725-02
Release Date: 7/25/2006 9:10:00 AM
By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Melinda Larson, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 1 Public Affairs
KEMAMAN, Malaysia (NNS) -- Sailors, Coast Guardsmen and Marines of the five-ship U.S. exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Task Group will share capabilities and maritime expertise ashore, afloat and in the air with the tri-service Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) during the Malaysia phase of CARAT, which began here July 25.
“We cannot deny the fact that our land, maritime and air force will one day be required to operate together,” said Royal Malaysian Air Force Brig. Gen. Dato’ Hj Jusof when he addressed the combined U.S. and MAF opening ceremony audience of about 100. “The interoperability of these three services is complex, thus emphasizing the importance of this exercise.”
Malaysia is the fourth phase of the Southeast Asia maritime security series, following exercises in Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.
Developing skills together to combat maritime security threats is the emphasis of the week ahead, and according to CARAT’s executive agent, Commander, Task Force 73 Rear Adm. Bill Burke, being familiar with each other’s has numerous applications.
“Multinational responses to contingencies are becoming more common,” said Burke during the opening ceremony held at a resort near the piers where the CARAT task group is berthed. “The crisis might be humanitarian in nature, or a combined response to a hostile act. To respond efficiently in either case, it’s important that our armed forces work together routinely in a training environment such as CARAT.”
Ashore, a variety of symposiums and workshops will take place in preparation for the seamanship evolutions, warfare training, amphibious operations and maritime interdiction exercises that will be conducted during the afloat phase in the South China Sea. Besides developing interoperability between the two countries, bringing together assets from the various service branches is key.
The newly-established Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) will also take part in CARAT Malaysia, working closely with the crew of USCGC Sherman (WHEC 720). The two agencies will share visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) techniques pierside and at-sea during boarding exercises.
“Our Coast Guard cutter crew working with Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency counterparts is a positive progression in the evolution of CARAT,” Burke said. “The same can be said for the incorporation of the Combined Enterprise Regional Information System, or CENTRIXS.”
CENTRIXS is a system that allows navies to communicate and share information in text and Web-based formats, erasing some of the language barrier. CENTRIXS, available aboard CARAT Task Group ships, will be installed at the ashore exercise headquarters as well as a Royal Malaysian navy ship.
During the at-sea phase, a combined U.S. and RMN staff will lead the task group from aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70). Some 140 Royal Malay Regiment soldiers will experience life at sea when they embark the dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46), followed by a beach landing aboard landing craft air cushions (LCAC) from Assault Craft Unit 5 detachment Western Pacific Alfa.
Besides practicing multi-dimensional skills, both nation’s armed forces will take part in several medical and dental civic action projects, and a variety of community service events.
“This is simply a way to give something back to the wider communities who host us, while also building some professional and personal ties between the U.S. and Malaysian armed forces personnel who conduct the projects,” Burke said.
The CARAT task group is led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron 1, Capt. Al Collins. In addition to Tortuga, Hopper and Sherman, the guided-missile frigate USS Crommelin (FFG 37) and the diving and salvage ship USS Salvor (ARS 52) complete the CARAT task group.
Marines from 3rd Marine Division will work with the Royal Malay Regiment soliders. Other elements, including P-3C Orion and SH-60 Seahawk aircraft from Patrol Squadron (VP) 46 and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL 37); Mobile Security Squadron 7; and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service will also take part in CARAT.
Collins is embarked aboard Tortuga, which operates from Sasebo, Japan, as part of the 7th Fleet’s Forward Deployed Naval Forces. Collins’ staff is based in San Diego. Hopper, Crommelin and Salvor are homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Sherman is homeported in Alameda.
Malaysian Armed Forces maritime assets include KD Jebat, KD Laksamana Tun Abdul Jamil, MV Setia Cekal, MV Mahsuri. PZ MMEA and PC MMEA will also take part.
For more on CARAT, visit www.clwp.navy.mil/carat2006.
For related news, visit the Commander Task Force 73 Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/clwp/.
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