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Successful CARAT Singapore Ends; Plans Begin for 2009 Exercise

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080703-21
Release Date: 7/3/2008 10:08:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Dan Meaney, Commander Task Force 73 Public Affairs

SINGAPORE (NNS) -- The Singapore phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2008 ended with a closing ceremony, July 3.

"Many may not realize the complexity involved in the CARAT exercise, the assets involved, the varied groups of participants, the diverse range of activities and the intense schedule of events," said Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Col. Wellman Wan, commander of the 1st Flotilla.

"As we conclude CARAT '08, we have already started working on CARAT '09. It leaves me to say 'well done' to all exercise participants and to CTF 73.5."

The ceremony featured a video of the exercise's accomplishments and speeches by U.S. Navy Capt. Mike Selby, commander, Destroyer Squadron 1 and Wan.

This was the 14th year of CARAT exercises between the U.S. Navy and Singapore. Ten ships, an RSN submarine, and fixed and rotary aircraft from both countries participated.

During the training, RSS Endeavour (209) shot down an American drone with a surface-to-air missile, and participants completed four air defense exercises, a joint underway replenishment and the deck landing qualifications of an RSN pilot using a U.S. SH-60 helicopter.

"CARAT is not all about training at sea," Wan said. "It is also about friendship."

Wan explained the joint exercises provided opportunities to strengthen the two countries' relationships by allowing greater interaction outside the usual working environment.

The five days of joint underway training were sandwiched between two port calls at the RSN's Changi Naval base. It was here that many of the social interactions took place. Through a sports day, opening and closing ceremonies and the joint military training, Sailors and Marines from both countries worked together.

CARAT is an annual series of bilateral military training exercises between the United States and several Southeast Asian nations.

For more news from Commander Task Force 73, visit www.navy.mil/local/clwp/.