During Exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces, the U.S. Navy, and U.S. Coast Guard took part in at-sea gun and missile shoots, in-port force protection drills, and community relations projects. Here, a combined U.S. Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) task group sail together during the exercise. Photo by JOSN David Ham, USN

"[CARAT 2004] is a necessary ingredient for close collaboration, especially in the current maritime security environment."

Col. James Soon
Fleet Commander
Republic of Singapore Navy

Col. James Soon (right), RSN Fleet Commander, and Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn, Commander of Task Force 712 and the U.S. Navy’s executive agent for CARAT, engage in discussion. Photo by JOC Melinda Larson, USNR

A the opening ceremony of the first phase of Exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2004 at Changi Naval Base in Singapore, Col. James Soon, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Fleet Commander, said, “An entire generation of Republic of Singapore Navy senior leadership, officers, and sailors has grown up on a healthy diet of CARAT exercises. Friendship ties [with the U.S.] now are investments for future generations of leaders and an important fabric of military and even international diplomacy.”  Commenting on CARAT 2004 activities, Col. Soon noted, “Planning staff from both navies will share operational tactical information in a seamless manner for the first time. I know that this effort will act as the springboard for further integration of information between the United States Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy. It is a necessary ingredient for close collaboration, especially in the current maritime security environment.” 

“The Singapore phase of CARAT was the very first in the history of the exercise series, and I think it is fitting that in this year, the 10th, the Singapore phase is again the initial phase for our CARAT task group,” said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn, the U.S. Navy’s executive agent for CARAT and Commander of Task Force 712. He added, “Technology and our mutual commitment to developing our navy-to-navy relationship have brought us very, very far.”

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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 Robert N. Sealover, USN, assigned to USS Fort McHenry Public Affairs.