Asia Pacific Defense Forum Summer 2002

The eighth annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise, the U.S. Navy’s premier bilateral exercise, opened in Brunei in May 2002 and ended in the Republic of the Philippines in July 2002. CARAT takes place in six Southeast Asia countries — Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines. CARAT’s missions include enhancing regional cooperation, building friendships between the United States and the nations involved, and strengthening professional skills at every level. This year’s activities involved humanitarian, medical, and disaster relief activities as well as operations other than war.

Here, Capt. Norul Hisyam of the 8th Royal Ranger Regiment, Malaysian Army, teaches patrol, ambush, and jungle attack to U.S. Marines and sailors.

Exercise COOPERATION AFLOAT READINESS AND TRAINING (CARAT) 2002 brought naval forces of Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and the U.S. together for a series of bilateral exercises. Here, Capt. Norul Hisyam of the 8th Royal Ranger Regiment, Malaysian Army, teaches patrol, ambush, and jungle attack to U.S. Marines and sailors.
PHOTO BY LCPL. ANTONIO J. VEGA, USMC