Months before the CARAT Task Group arrived in each country, host nations took the lead in planning CARAT events. "Each phase of the CARAT exercise series is planned in close coordination with the military leaders of the participating countries," noted U.S. Navy Capt. Robert Riche, U.S. CARAT Task Group Commander for the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand portions of the exercise.

CARAT 2002 involved hundreds of military and civilian members from the six Southeast Asia countries and 1,400 U.S. military personnel who comprised the U.S. CARAT Task Group. U.S. forces arrived in each country aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Vincennes (CG 49), the landing ship USS Anchorage (LSD 36), the frigate USS George Philip (FFG 12) and the U.S. Coast Guard high endurance cutter USCGC Morgenthau (WHEC 722).

CARAT military activities included jungle and dive training, amphibious operations, battlefield training, air resupply, and shipboard techniques. Just as important as the military activities were the humanitarian efforts and community relations projects in each country. These included medical, dental and veterinarian care; repair of local schools and facilities; teaching and working with children at local schools; and entertainment by the U.S. Navy’s Orient Express band.

CARAT 2002 strengthened tactical and survival skills, created mutual understanding and friendships between forces, and helped better the lives of many citizens in the six countries through medical care and the refurbishing of schools and orphanages.