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Royal Thai Navy (RTN) sailors and Marines stand at attention alongside U.S. Coast Guardsmen and U.S. Navy sailors in front of the USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) during the opening ceremony for the Thailand phase of Exercise CARAT.
Photo by JOC Joseph Krypel, USNR |
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Thai Navy Lt. j.g. Sakpathai and U.S. Navy Lt. Doug Martin discuss tactical coordination aboard a P-3C Orion aircraft during a mine-laying exercise.
Photo by JOC Joseph Krypel, USNR |
Additionally, U.S. Navy communications specialists introduced the Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange System (CENTRIXS) through demonstrations on board the USS McCampbell (DDG 85). CENTRIXS is a global Internet protocol architecture that allows U.S. forces to share information and operational planning with allies.
This year, a combined Thai- U.S. naval staff exercised command and control of the combined task group from the USS Russell (DDG 59). Rear Adm. Quinn said that while standard exercise events are important, the exercise would include “a variety of other exercise events, many borne of a changing world situation and as a result of new threats.”
RTN ships taking part included HTMS Phuttha Yotfa Chulalok, HTMS Taksin, HTMS Rathana Kosin, HTMS Surin, HTMS Thalang, HTMS Bangrachan, HTMS Nongsarai, and four minesweepers. The U.S. Navy ships included the dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), the guided missile destroyers USS Russell (DDG 59) and USS McCampbell (DDG 85), and the rescue and salvage ship USS Salvor (ARS 52). The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mellon (WHEC 717) also participated. The U.S. CARAT Task Group was under the leadership of U.S. Navy Capt. Lothrop S. “Buzz” Little, Commander of Destroyer Squadron One.
Diving Operations
Combined dive operations were conducted from the USS Salvor (ARS 52). Every dive involved one Thai diver and one U.S. diver, working together. Thai and U.S. divers made multiple day and night SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) dives over a decommissioned sunken Thai ship.
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Vice Adm. Wallop Kerdpol, RTN Assistant Chief of Staff Operations, and Rear Adm. Yuttana Phaqpolngam, Director of the RTN Headquarters’ Operations Department, observe a demonstration of the U.S. Navy’s Portable Allied Command, Control and Communications Terminal installed on His Thai Majesty’s Ship (HTMS) Taksin.
Photo by JOC Melinda Larson, USNR |
Diving operations included locating and salvaging an object from 90-feet (27 meters) below the surface. The divers used handheld sonar devices to locate the object and attach a lift bag to it. They filled the lift bag with air until the object had slight negative buoyancy, and then brought it to the surface in a controlled ascent.
Before the dives, RTN divers toured the ship to observe the locations of various ship stations and receive demonstrations on the Emergency Escape Breathing Device, two-point moor preparations, and 8-inch (20-centimeter) hawser operations. Thai divers who spoke English served as translators during the safety briefs, training seminars, and diving operations
Amphibious Operations
Thirty-five Royal Thai Marines stormed a nearby beach after coming ashore in two U.S. Navy amphibious Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) during an amphibious warfare assault scenario. The high-speed LCACs, which operated from the well deck of the USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), are each capable of carrying a 60-ton (54-metric ton) load of equipment, troops, and supplies over land and water.
While making the 10-mile (16-kilometer) transit to the beach, the Thai Marines quickly became fans of the LCAC. “The LCACs can get on the beach; they are better for everything,” said Thai Marine LCpl. Samathi Paochareon, as he looked around the craft before landing on the beach. It was his first time working with the U.S. Navy. “LCACs don’t make me sick, and I don’t have to wade through water,” he said enthusiastically.
Once they landed on Hat Yao Beach, adjacent to Sattahip Naval Base, the Thai Marines linked up with other Thai Marines and Special Forces. The Thai forces then successfully completed their objective of destroying a simulated terrorist training camp and recovering contraband.
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