Ships Begin CARAT Singapore At-Sea Phase
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS080701-10
Release Date: 7/1/2008 4:10:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Dan Meaney, Commander, Task Force 73 Public Affairs
SINGAPORE (NNS) -- The Singapore at-sea phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2008 began June 25.
A Republic of Singapore Air Force supersonic flying team demonstrated precision formation flying in the skies above the assembled forces participating in the CARAT exercises.
Combat Assault Company from Hawaii's 3rd Marines embarked aboard a landing craft unit (LCU) from the Singaporean amphibious assault ship RSS Endeavor (210). The Marines embarked the LCU from the well deck of USS Tortuga (LSD 46) for a joint beach assault exercise with the Singapore Guard.
U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Kyle Johnson explained the training provided the Marines an opportunity to foster already excellent relations with the Singapore Guard.
"It was an outstanding experience," Johnson said.
Crews aboard Tortuga and Endeavour ran deck landing qualification exercises with an RSN Super Puma helicopter and also ran a medical evacuation scenario aboard Tortuga.
Rear Adm. Ng Chee Peng, fleet commander, Republic of Singapore Navy, noted that the wide range of activities planned for CARAT provide the participants with valuable training opportunities.
"I know that the exercise planners have been working closely for the last few months to plan and piece this exercise together," Peng said. "I would like to extend my thanks. I'm confident that their hard work will make CARAT 2008 a successful exercise."
The exercises include structured free play, combined gunnery firing and a surface-to-air missile firing scheduled during the remainder of the phase.
CARAT is an annual series of bilateral military exercises between the United States and Southeast Asian nations.
For more news from Commander Task Force 73, visit www.navy.mil/local/clwp/.
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