The 29th Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2023 (CARAT 29/2023) between the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), the United States Navy (USN) and United States Coast Guard (USCG) officially commenced yesterday, following the opening ceremony at Bolkiah Garrison.
“CARAT has been one of the longest bilateral exercises between Brunei Darussalam and the United States now spanning 29 years since its inception in 1995,” said Acting Deputy Joint Force Commander Colonel (U) Hismawadi bin Haji Mohammad Said in his opening remarks.
“I believe through the CARAT exercise, the spirit of cooperation between our two militaries will flourish. The RBAF will have the opportunities to learn and share experience with the US coastguard especially on matter pertaining to maritime security,” he said.
“We hope that Royal Brunei Armed Forces as well as other participating government agencies in this year’s CARAT exercise will be able to improve Brunei’s ability to collaborate in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and Southeast Asia regions.”
Colonel (U) Hismawadi also welcomed members from the USCG, participating in the exercises for the first time.
Deputy Commodore and USN Destroyer Squadron Seven (CDS7) Commander Captain Matt Scarlett expressed his appreciation for the warm relations between the two armed forces and looks forward to fostering closer bilateral defence cooperation through field exercises and training.
The exercise will see the RBAF, USN and USCG personnel take part in a diverse range of sea, air and onshore activities.
There will also be a legal symposium, medical exchanges, force protection training, maritime aviation practices, expeditionary mine countermeasures, a women’s interaction programme and band performances.
A musical outreach programme will take place at the Child Development Centre and a public performance at OneCity Shopping Centre. The CARAT 29/2023 exercise ends on September 19. – James Kon
