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Royal Malaysian Armed Forces personnel joined U.S. Navy sailors and Coast Guardsmen for the tenth year of Exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2004 in Malaysia. Here, members of the Royal Malay Regiment land on the beach from a U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion during a mock amphibious assault.
Photo by JOC Melinda Larson, USNR |
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"CARAT can be likened as a bridge between our armed forces to improve combined capabilities and interoperability."
First Adm. Mohammed Noordin bin Hj Ali
Royal Malaysian Navy
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Malaysian dancers entertain crewmembers of the USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) on the ship’s arrival in Kuantan Port, Malaysia.
Photo by Lt. Chuck Bell, USN |
Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) personnel and several aircraft from Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) squadrons joined U.S. Navy sailors and Coast Guardsmen for the tenth year of Exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2004 in Malaysia. CARAT is an annual series of bilateral military exercises between the United States and various Southeast Asian nations. The purpose is to improve military readiness and interoperability with each CARAT partner in a variety of mission areas of mutual benefit. The 10-day exercise off the eastern coast of Malaysia included aerial combat maneuvers, amphibious operations, diving and salvage operations, and vessel boardings.
Malaysian forces participating in CARAT 2004 included RMAF MiG-29 fighters and Hawk multi-role combat aircraft. Participating RMN ships included the support ship KD Mahawangsa (AOR 1504) and corvettes Katsuri and Lakasmana Muhammad Amin. A unit of the Royal Malay Regiment also participated.
The U.S. CARAT Task Group included F/A-18F and F/A-18C Super Hornet fighter aircraft, P-3C Orion maritime surveillance aircraft, and SH-60 Seahawk helicopters. U.S. ships included the U.S. Coast Guard high endurance cutter Mellon (WHEC 717), 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). A U.S. Army veterinary team also participated.
First Adm. Mohammed Noordin bin Hj Ali, Commander of the RMN’s Naval Area 1, said during the opening ceremony, “I hope both parties will learn from one another, share experiences and knowledge and, most importantly, enhance the bond of friendship between people of different creed and culture.” He added, “Apart from exercises involving armed forces from both nations, the local community will also benefit from this exercise.” First Adm. Noordin was referring to Malaysian and U.S. military personnel working together on several community service, medical, dental, and veterinary civic action projects.
This is a composite story compiled from separate articles by Lt. j.g. Todd Spitler, USNR, and JOC Melinda Larson, USNR, assigned to CARAT Task Group Public Affairs; and JO2(SW) Stephen Haynes, USN, and JO2 Robert N. Sealover, USN, assigned to USS Fort McHenry Public Affairs.
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