US Ships Arrive For CARAT
By M K Anwar

USS Safeguard

Bandar Seri Begawan - The US Navy and Marine Corps task group arrived Brunei yesterday morning for the annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. The exercise will be officially opened today and will run until next week.

Two ships that will be involved in the exercise docked at the Muara Commercial Port. USS Vincennes (CG 49) and USS Safeguard (ARS 50) arrived in the Sultanate after their last port of call in Singapore.

The CARAT exercise aims to strengthen military relationships between the two nations. It also gives sailors and marines a chance to refine their communication skills as well as improve interoperability.

The bilateral exercise will be the third to be conducted between the US and Brunei in the Sultanate since the last nine years. During the exercise, both the US and Royal Brunei Navy will be conducting maneuvers and firing exercises in Brunei waters.

The USS Vincennes (CG 49) is one of the US navy's modern missile guided cruiser. Commissioned in 1985, this ship is the fourth to bear the USS Vincennes name. It is the first Aegis Cruiser to enter the Pacific Fleet and it has participated in numerous multinational exercises. With a crew of 400 officers and personnel, this ship cost about US$1 billion.

The USS Safeguard (ARS 50) meanwhile is a rescue and salvage ship which has the capability to assist disabled ships, provide towing, salvage, diving, fire fighting and heavy lift capabilities. It has a compliment of 100 officers and personnel. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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