CARAT 2012

Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT): The 18th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise between the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps and nine partnering Pacific countries began in May.

While the exercise is designed to enhance maritime security skills and operational cohesiveness among participating forces, it also focuses on relationship building between military participants through sports and social events, and improving relationships with the community through civic action projects and community service events.

CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Timor Leste joins the exercise for the first time in 2012.

While the training in each phase of CARAT varies based on shared goals of the host nation and the U.S., a common theme is the development of maritime security capabilities, and increasing interoperability among participants. Skill areas exercised during CARAT include Maritime Interception Operations, riverine, amphibious and undersea warfare operations, diving and salvage operations, naval gunnery and maneuvering events, along with disaster response exercises.

Thousands of U.S. personnel will participate in one of the many CARAT 2012 exercises that will take place until October 2012.

Connect with CARAT on the CARAT Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Exercise.CARAT.