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CARAT Indonesia Begins With Jungle Training, Engineering Projects

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090725-07
Release Date: 7/25/2009 8:24:00 AM

By Lt. Ed Early, Commander, Task Group 73.5 Public Affairs

JAKARTA, Indonesia (NNS) -- Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia began July 20 with the arrival of nearly 200 U.S. Sailors and Marines taking part in the bilateral exercise.

A landing craft from the dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) delivered the Sailors and Marines to Jakarta, where they joined their Indonesian armed forces counterparts.

Upon arrival, U.S. Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 40 traveled to the village of Bekasi to work with Indonesian engineers at an engineering civic action program at Pusaka Rakyat Primary School.

Marines from 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment headed to the highland region south of Jakarta in Antralina to start a four-day training engagement with Indonesian Marines from the 2nd Indonesian Marine Infantry Battalion. In addition, medical personnel from both Indonesia and the U.S. gathered to set up medical and dental civic action programs in Jakarta.

"We're pleased to be in Jakarta and look forward to working with our Indonesian counterparts," said Capt. William Kearns III, Commander, Task Group 73.5. "The wide range of activities during CARAT allows us to build upon the already strong bonds between our armed forces, as well as with communities in Jakarta."

Since 1995, CARAT has provided the U.S. and six Southeast Asian nations – Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Brunei – the opportunity to exchange expertise and exercise maritime security skills while bolstering interoperability.

One such exchange of knowledge and training is taking place in Bekasi, where the Seabees and Indonesian Navy engineers are working together to construct a multi-use building and dry play area for the students of Pusaka Rakyat.

"This phase has started with a lot of excitement, both from our Indonesian Navy counterparts and the local community at large," said Lt. j.g. Phil Schuler, officer in charge for the NMCB 40 detachment working on the project. "Many people are pleased to see the cooperation and the improvements to the school."

Schuler added that local residents and students were "very excited" about the construction projects, which are scheduled to be dedicated in mid-August.

The Indonesian and U.S. Marines jumped right into a number of training scenarios following a brief opening ceremony. The training, ranging from security checkpoint procedures to jungle warfare, is designed to build individual and team skills as well as enhance interoperability.

Meanwhile, medical personnel from Harpers Ferry and Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific joined Navy Reservists and local physicians at the Cilicing District Office on July 23 to provide medical and dental care for area residents.

A second phase of CARAT Indonesia will take place in late August and will focus on naval and maritime activities.

Approximately 1,600 U.S. personnel are taking part in CARAT 2009. Task Group 73.5, the U.S. Navy task group for CARAT, is under the command of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 31.

For more information on CARAT, visit www.clwp.navy.mil/carat2009.

For more news from Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, visit www.navy.mil/local/carat/.