Members of the Philippine Naval Special Warfare Group 91 prepare to enter a hatch on the USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43). Photo by Lt. j.g. Todd Spitler, USNR

“From the U.S. perspective, this is a very valuable exercise, not only in terms of the high quality training it provides our sailors and Coast Guardsmen in a number of skill areas, but also because of the opportunity it gives us to work side by side with our Philippine Navy counterparts,” said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn, Commander of Task Force 712 and U.S. executive agent for CARAT. “The presence of the destroyers [USS Russell and USS McCampbell] this year gives us a great opportunity to integrate the Aegis Combat Training System and Battle Force Tactical Trainer into the exercise through both symposia and onboard trainer evolutions.  These systems allow us to create and conduct highly integrated, multifaceted warfare scenarios that will add significant value to our training efforts.”

With the guided missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) in the background, members of the Philippine Naval Special Warfare Group 91 scan the deck of the dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) during a maritime boarding exercise. Photo by Lt. j.g. Todd Spitler, USNR

Commenting on CARAT events tailored to meet a changing world situation and new threats, Rear Adm. Quinn said, “Today we share our anti-terrorism knowledge and conduct extensive force protection training evolutions.  We’re developing our maritime law enforcement skills with the expertise of the U.S. Coast Guard.  This is a great opportunity for our leaders to share and compare concepts, and surely, learn something about each other along the way.”

Rear Adm. Quinn stressed that, while training is the cornerstone of the exercise, friendship is the foundation. “When the many symposia, demonstrations, and operational events are complete, it is the professional and personal relationships we have developed that remain etched in our memories.  While the training becomes second nature through repetition, the opportunity to get to know one another is often once in a lifetime,” he said.

At-Sea Maneuvers
During the at-sea phase of the exercise, a combined Philippine-U.S. naval staff on the USS Russell exercised command and control of the combined task group of Philippine and U.S. Navy ships. For the first time, both forces used the U.S. Navy’s Portable Allied Command, Control, and Communications Terminal (PAC3T), which provided secure communications and an operational picture that commanders used to maintain situational awareness of their units and tactical operations. 

The U.S. Navy’s Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange System (CENTRIXS) was also incorporated into the exercise. CENTRIXS is a global Internet protocol architecture that allows U.S. forces to share information and operational planning with allies. “Communication is key, and in a real world contingency or any number of other operations, this capability could make a difference between success and failure,” noted Rear Adm. Quinn.

Philippine Navy sailors and officers observed and participated in amphibious evolutions and Landing Craft, Air Cushioned operations from the dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43). The USS Fort McHenry also hosted members of the Philippine Naval Special Warfare Group 91 for an in-port maritime boarding event with U.S. Navy SEALs.