U.S. sailors remove sheet metal from a dilapidated building that posed a safety hazard to a disabled resident of Tutong District. Photo by JO2 Robert Sealover, USN

A Royal Brunei Armed Forces Band member plays his saxophone for his U.S. Navy counterpart. U.S. Navy photo by JOC Melinda Larson, USNR

Closing Ceremony Highlights Success
The Brunei phase of Exercise CARAT 2004 came to a ceremonial close June 25 on board the USS Fort McHenry. About 30 RBN and U.S. officers, including the commanding officers of the nine CARAT Brunei ships, attended the ceremony.

RBN and U.S. Navy sailors play football during sports day. Photo by EM1 Elysian McIntyre, USN

RBN Fleet Commander, Lt. Col Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohd Tamit, stands with Capt. Lothrop S. “Buzz” Little, Commander of Destroyer Squadron One and the U.S. CARAT Task Group, after exchanging hats at the closing ceremony for the Brunei phase of CARAT 2004.

U.S. Navy photo by JOC Melinda Larson, USNR

“CARAT Brunei was a safe exercise and a tremendous success thanks to the efforts of the U.S. and Royal Brunei navies as well as the planning teams,” said Capt. Little, the U.S. CARAT Task Group commander. In addition, the five-day exercise involved a number of firsts.

During the one-day underway phase, a combined RBN and U.S. Navy staff embarked on the USS Russell (DDG 59). Also, for the first time in the history of CARAT Brunei, the Portable Allied Command, Control, and Communications Terminal (PAC3T) system helped bridge the communications gap between the two navies during the underway phase, providing real-time data link between ships, shore, and aircraft. In addition, RBN personnel witnessed the advantages of the Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange System (CENTRIXS) through demonstrations on board U.S. CARAT Task Group ships. CENTRIXS is the global architecture in use by U.S. forces that allows U.S. forces to share information and operational planning with allies.
Another first for CARAT Brunei was the presence of two of the most advanced platforms in the world – the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers USS Russell (DDG 59) and USS McCampbell (DDG 85). “The guided missile destroyers played a significant role during CARAT’s tactical evolutions and benefited U.S. and Bruneian sailors and officers alike,” said Capt. Little.

While the cutting-edge communications technology helped attain exercise goals, achieving interoperability came through practical training operations. “Our true success was earmarked through at-sea exercises including, but not limited to the successful Banshee firings, pier-side boarding, tactical free play, flight operations, and diving operations,” observed Capt. Little.

“Accompanied by RBN sailors and officers, the Coast Guard cutter Mellon took part in successful maritime law enforcement training. This training demonstrates our navies’ commitment to not only sharing information and situational awareness, but also the common goal of securing international seas and channels of commerce,” noted Capt. Little.

According to Capt. Little, the ultimate victory was the personal relationships built during CARAT Brunei that will pave the way for the future. “It was the personal interactions, professionalism, and mutual respect that laid the groundwork for future generations of our navies’ to enhance joint training and seamless interoperability.”

The Royal Brunei Armed Forces Band and the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet Band perform together at a Brunei shopping mall. U.S. Navy photo by JOC Melinda Larson, USNR