CARAT Exercise Begins Today
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Royal Brunei Armed Forces will hold its annual CARAT bilateral exercise with the United States commencing today until August 11.

Cooperation Afloat Readiness And Training (CARAT) is a US defence initiative designed to increase understanding of Southeast Asian cultures as well as to enhance regional defence cooperation, building friendships and strengthening professional military skills through cross training at every level.

This venture began in 1995 consolidating several annual regional exercises into a single deployment.

Hosted by the RBN, the official CARAT opening ceremony will be held today at Muara Naval Base and the closing ceremony is expected to take place on August 11.

The components of this bilateral exercise include the Royal Brunei- Land Forces, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force who will be conducting the exercise with the Seventh Fleet of the US Pacific Fleet stationed in Japan.

The US Pacific Fleet components in the exercise include USS Crommelin, USS Salvor, USS Tortuga, USS Hopper and USCGC Sherman. They arrived at Muara Commercial Wharf yesterday morning with some 1,000 sailors and officers onboard.

While the US Task Force is in the Sultanate, its personnel are scheduled for several community undertakings, which include band performances for the public at the Yayasan Mall on August 9 and joint RBN and US community service at Pusat Ehsan in Kg Bengkurong. They will also use the opportunity to visit some other places of interest in the Sultanate. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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