Exercise COOPERATION AFLOAT READINESS AND TRAINING (CARAT) 2003 brought the armed forces of Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the U.S. together for a series of bilateral exercises. Here, Royal Thai Navy officers stand side by side with U.S. Navy sailors and officers during the opening ceremony for the Thailand phase of CARAT. Photo by Lt. Chuck Bell, USN

Four countries in Southeast Asia — Thailand, Brunei, Singapore, and Malaysia — participated in the U.S. Navy’s ninth annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise series. Beginning in Thailand 6 June and ending in Malaysia in late July 2003, CARAT enhanced interoperability between the U.S. and each of the four countries. It demonstrated U.S. commitment in Southeast Asia, while improving the operational readiness and capabilities of participating forces, and built lasting working relationships that will add to security and stability in the region.

CARAT 2003 involved hundreds of military personnel and civilians from the four Southeast Asian countries and more than 1,500 U.S. sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen. Military leaders of the participating countries coordinated closely to plan the CARAT 2003 exercise series, further strengthening regional cooperation. Exercise events included at-sea maneuvering and communications, command and control, diving and salvage, and amphibious operations.

Medical and community service projects occurred in each country as an important part of each CARAT phase. They included activities by U.S. doctors, dentists, Seabee engineers, and entertainment provided by the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet Orient Express band.

Capt. Terry Bragg, Commander of Destroyer Squadron 1, led the U.S. CARAT Task Group that included the guided missile cruiser USS Vincennes (CG 49), the dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), the guided missile frigate USS Curts (FFG 38), the rescue and salvage ship USS Safeguard (ARS 50), and the 400-personnel Landing Force CARAT, a U.S. Marine Air Ground Task Force.

Rear Adm. Jeff Cassias, Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific, who oversaw CARAT coordination in his role as Commander, Task Force 712, noted that the U.S. commitment to CARAT continues despite significant requirements for U.S. naval forces worldwide. “These various [requirements] have resulted in the cancellation of some exercises this year,” he said. “But that’s not the case with CARAT. We have a comprehensive schedule of events in place that will provide top quality training opportunities for our forces afloat and ashore. The training value of these events for our forces is significant.”

At the end of the exercise, Capt. Bragg described CARAT 2003 as a great success, adding to existing relations among participating armed forces.

U.S. Embassy Bangkok Chargé d’Affaires Ravic Huso and Vice Adm. Somjai Watanayothin, Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Fleet, review passing Thai and U.S. troops during the opening ceremony of the Thailand phase of CARAT. Photo by Lt. Chuck Bell, USN