MUARA, Monday, 12 November 2018 –The 24th iteration of the Brunei – United States Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Exercise, a bilateral exercise conducted between the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the United States Navy (USN), begins on 12 November, and will end on 16 November 2018. The Opening ceremony was held at Nakhoda Hall, Naval Training Center, Muara Naval Base.
The opening ceremony was officiated by the Guest of Honour and the Commander Task Group 73.1, Captain Haji Mohammad Yusuf bin Masron, the Acting Joint Force Commander (JFC). An opening remark was delivered by the Acting JFC which emphasized the importance of this exercise in countering maritime insecurities through the sharing of knowledge and practices of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and also to strengthen the existing bond between RBAF and USN. The thoughtful remark ended with the activation of Task Group 73.1.
The 5-day exercise will involve RBN assets which includes, KDB DARULAMAN (DMN), KDB BERKAT (BER) and the Naval Surface Action Group (NAVSAG). The schedule for the next three days will cover MDA’s seminar programs and also preparation for the main focus of this exercise, the sea phase. The sea phase will commence on the 15th of November which will be participated by DMN and BER from RBN, along with USNS FALL RIVER (FLR), USS EMORY SCOTT LAND (ESL) and P-8 POSEIDON from USN. This collaboration during the sea phase aims for both sides to practice what was shared and learnt during the harbor phase. It also aims to build up capacity and further enhance practices in the ability to meet the maritime challenges.
