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Royal Brunei Air Force S-70A Blackhawk helicopter prepares
to land on the deck of the USS Curts (FFG 38) during CARAT
deck landing qualifications.
Photo by PH1(AW/SW) Kevin H. Tierney, USN
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The
KDB Pejuang (P03) completes maneuvers with U.S. ships in a
war-at-sea exercise during CARAT Brunei.
Photo by PH1(AW/SW) Kevin H. Tierney, USN |
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While in Brunei,
sailors went on the jungle trek, visited the Regalia Museum or took
a boat to the water village. Crews were surprised when they learned
they were in town for the Sultan’s birthday celebrations.
“This is a beautiful country, and I really wanted our sailors and
Marines to explore its treasures,” Rear Adm. Edwards said.
Next year, CARAT Brunei will include a U.S. Coast Guard cutter, expected
to enhance training in areas such as maritime patrol and protection
of coastal waters.
“Each year, I want them to get more and more out of CARAT.
I want to maximize the time and training they do here and throughout
the region,” Rear Adm. Edwards said. “One critical way
to do that is to expand the scope of CARAT, growing from a series of
bilateral exercises to include a multilateral phase. Our continued
U.S. military presence – and partnership – through exercises
like Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training are more important than
ever. They are key to regional cooperation and continued economic
prosperity, and this requires all of us to work together. The
importance of this region cannot be overstated.”
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