THE 21st series of the Brunei phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2015 came to a close with a ceremony held at the Multi-National Coordination Centre (MNCC) in Muara.
Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Joint Force Commander cum guest of honour Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat declared the deactivation of CARAT 2015 at the closing ceremony.
Also present were Captain HB Le, Commodore of Destroyer Squadron 7’s (DESRON 7) from US Navy, Deputy Commander Task Group (DCTG) Commander Shamsul Bahren bin Haji Taweh from Royal Brunei Navy and other senior officers from the RBAF and US Navy.
The RBAF and US Navy make use of the CARAT exercise to enhance cooperative efforts in addressing shared security concerns. They include, among other, trainings for maritime security tasks, communication procedures and amphibious operations. The CARAT exercise also serves as an important platform for military officers and personnel from both countries to exchange knowledge and experience to further increase interoperability.
RBAF Joint Force Commander Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat delivers a speech
Deputy Commander Task Group (DCTG) Commander Shamsul Bahren bin Haji Taweh from Royal Bru-nei Navy during the exchange of a commemorative plaque
Exchange of commemorative plaques between the two navies
During the five-day joint exercise, both armed forces optimised opportunities to strengthen relations between the two countries by allowing greater interaction through joint military training.
Several public symposiums were held covering military operations and public affairs as well as interaction programme between RBAF and US Navy. On the sidelines, community service projects such as joint band of Royal Brunei Navy and US Navy 7th Fleet Band conducted at Times Square Shopping Centre, International School Brunei, Smarter Brunei and Jerudong Park Playground were held.
CARAT is an annual series of bilateral military exercises between United States and several Southeast Asian nations.
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