• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

CARAT 2009 Marks 15 Years of Enhancing Maritime Cooperation

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090526-13
Release Date: 5/26/2009 4:15:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Bill Larned, Commander Task Group 73.5 Public Affairs

CEBU CITY, Philippines (NNS) -- The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise series held a ceremony May 21 in Cebu City to celebrate a milestone - its 15th year of strengthening maritime relationships.

Since 1995, CARAT has provided the U.S. and six other Southeast Asian nations – the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Indonesia – the opportunity to sharpen maritime security through shared training, equipment and manpower.

"For this particular exercise, the participation of both the Philippine and U.S. navies is part of our mutual commitment to enhance interoperability of our forces," said Rear Adm. Geronimo Defensor, commander, Philippine Fleet, in his keynote address at the opening ceremony.

"The work that our navies accomplish together is a demonstration of our common aspirations for peace and security not only for Southeast Asia, but for the rest of the world."

Each CARAT phase consists of scheduled operational training exercises at sea and ashore, including amphibious landings, simulating visit, board, search and seizure, and humanitarian aid and disaster response. In addition, a maritime safety and security team from the U.S. Coast Guard is working with the Philippine Navy Special Operations Group.

USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), flagship for the CARAT task group led by Capt. Bill Kearns, commodore, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 31, arrived in Cebu City May 20 to participate in CARAT.

Volunteers from Harpers Ferry participated in community relations projects hosted by Looc National High School in Lapu-Lapu where earlier, Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40 had constructed a building at the high school.

Marines from Reserve units in Florida and Michigan as well as Camp Pendleton, Calif., disembarked Harpers Ferry to conduct operations with the Philippine marines. Their training will include jungle tactics with amphibious assault vehicles, as well as an amphibious beach assault.

Community relations projects involving Harpers Ferry Sailors and Marines are also planned for Bangbang Elementary School and Lapu-Lapu Elementary School. Volunteers will participate in sporting events, paint buildings, plant trees and donate toys to Filipino children.

U.S. medical and dental teams, including physicians from the Harpers Ferry, will provide medical care to local residents at four sites throughout the Central Visayas region.

"These projects give us an opportunity to give something back to the communities that host us during the exercise, and also allow us to build valuable relationships with our exercise partners," said Rear Adm. Nora Tyson, commander, Task Force 73, executive agent for CARAT 2009.

In addition to Harpers Ferry, USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) and USS Chafee (DDG 90), and rescue and salvage ship USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) are participating in the Philippines phase of CARAT 2009. More than 1,300 Sailors and Marines will work afloat and ashore during the course of the exercise.