The CARAT Task Group next sailed to Lumut, Malaysia, for exercises with the Royal Malaysian Navy. Rear Adm. Dató Mohammad Ramly bin Abubakar, Fleet Commander for the Royal Malaysian Navy, welcomed the U.S. forces to Lumut. He commented on the value the annual CARAT exercise provides to the forces of Malaysia and the U.S.
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U.S Marines of Landing Force CARAT benefited from demanding training at Singapore’s Camp Hendon training center.
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Cooperative engagement between the Malaysian Armed Forces and U.S. Forces has continued steadily, increasing incrementally over time in terms of asset participation, exercise scope and tactical complexity, at a pace that both parties can comfortably handle. This has helped to enhance interoperability between the Malaysian and U.S. Forces and has contributed tremendously to mutual understanding. The bottom line, of course, is that this cooperation helps to maintain the overall peace, security and stability in the region.
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Capt. Meng Seng Lee, Capt. Jeremy Kong and Lt. Francis Wong of the 7th Brigade Singapura Guards hear U.S. Marine Cpl. Arlynn J. Guertin explain his Mk19 40mm Machine Gun during a static display. |
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During the Malaysian sea phase, a BQM-74 Target Drone was launched for a series of anti-air warfare exercises and a "RoboSki" remote controlled surface target was launched for surface warfare exercises. Malaysian combatants participated in the exercises with the USS George Philip and USS Gary. Royal Malaysian Navy Capt. Karunanethy, Assistant Chief of Staff for Warfare at the Royal Malaysian Navy Fleet Headquarters, headed up the Malaysian naval forces for CARAT 99.
Malaysian Army forces, led by Lt. Col. Ismet Ismail, Commanding Officer of the 9th Royal Malay Regiment, joined U.S. Marine Amphibious forces to conduct amphibious warfare exercises. They used a Landing Craft Air Cushion–(an LCAC)–from the USS Comstock and Light Armored Attack Vehicles–(LAAVs)–from the USS Frederick.
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Singaporean and U.S. sailors train together at Singapore’s damage control team trainer to stop ship flooding. |
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