'CARAT Exercise Valuable To Brunei'
By P Marilyn

Bandar Seri Begawan - The CARAT exercise is extremely valuable to Brunei said Commander Rear Admiral William R Burke, during an interview with the Borneo Bulletin yesterday.

The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT 2006) is an exercise that allows the Royal Brunei - Armed Forces and United States Navy to work together to , become a better and stronger unit in combating transnational threats such as weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, trafficking and other cross border issues.

For the exercise, the US Navy brought in a variety of capabilities including ground, sea and air. With the CARAT exercise, both the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and the US Navy are able to work together in these areas, provide professional interactions and allow the exchange of ideas.

He acknowledged communication difficulties between RBAF and the US Navy as one of the challenges facing both nations. This could be overcome through the CARAT exercise as it serves to strengthen and familiarise themselves with each other's techniques and methods.

The US Navy has also carried out a series of bilateral military exercises with other Southeast Asian countries to develop maritime interception and information-sharing capabilities to form a stronger force within the region.

The U S Commander also had a chance to meet with the Commanding Officer of the Royal Brunei Navy and Royal Brunei Air Force, where discussions on the capabilities of both nations were held and measures to confront issues related to the military fields were made.

Though it may seem to be similar every year, the CARAT exercise continues to evolve in reaching a higher level due to changes in capabilities, techniques and personnel, he said.

Commenting on Brunei Darussalam, Commander Rear Admiral Burke said it is a beautiful country filled with warm, friendly people whom he finds easy to converse with. The Commander added the he has travelled around Southeast Asia and has yet to come across another country as beautiful as Brunei.

He also took pleasure in working with the Brunei military including the exchange of ideas and sharing of techniques, and described Brunei as a "safe, peaceful country".

Commander Rear Admiral Burke added that he was very much impressed with Brunei's willingness to help international communities and in sharing resources, such as the Indonesian tsunami relief effort.

Commander Rear Admiral William R Burke's first tour of duty was aboard USSLafayette (SSBN 616) as a division officer. Subsequent assignments at sea included USS Key West (SSN 722) as the commissioning Weapons Officer, USS Omaha (SSN 692) as Navigator, and USS Cavalla (SSN 684) as Executive Officer.

While on board Cavalla, he received the Admiral Chick Cleary Award for the 1992 Outstanding Navy Officer Afloat from the Honolulu Council of the Navy League.

Commander RearAdmiral Burke served as Commanding Officer, USS Toledo (SSN 769), from September 1995 to June 1998. He commanded Submarine Squadron Two from July 2001 to July 2003. Shore assignments included an early career tour in the Attack Submarine Division of the Staff of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO).

Rear Admiral Burke also served on Capital Hill as Assistant Deputy for House Liaison in the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs, and completed an assignment on the Joint Staff as Chief of Training, Doctrine and Assessment Division and Assistant Deputy Director for Combating Terrorism.

His most recent tour was as the Executive Assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations from June 2004 to July 2005. He reported to his current assignment in September 2005.

Commander Rear Admiral Burke wears the Defence Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medals (three awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), and the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards).  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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