US, Royal Thai Navy Get Underway For Guardian Sea

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Deven Ellis | 170511-N-PD309-288 SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 11, 2017) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) maneuvers into position during a maneuvering exercise as part of the multilateral Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise. CARAT is a series of annual maritime exercises aimed at strengthening partnerships and increasing interoperability through bilateral and multilateral engagements ashore and at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Deven Leigh Ellis/Released)  

AT SEA

05.22.2017

Story by Lt. Kevin Chambers 

Command Destroyer Squadron 7

The U.S. Navy and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) are executing Guardian Sea, an anti-submarine and maritime domain awareness exercise, in the Andaman Sea May 22-28.

The bilateral exercise focuses on strengthening U.S. Navy and RTN anti-submarine warfare (ASW) procedures and proficiency through symposia, planning discussions, personnel exchanges and at-sea events.

Representing the U.S. Navy at Guardian Sea is the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104), a Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine and a P-3C Orion. Staff from Commander, Task Force 73 and Destroyer Squadron 7 will participate while embarked onboard U.S. ships and aircraft.

"Guardian Sea is an outstanding opportunity to operate at sea with our friends and partners in the Royal Thai Navy," said Cmdr. Claudine Caluori, commanding officer, USS Sterett, DDG (104). "Our Sailors gain valuable experience from these multilateral engagements, and we build on the established maritime relationships that will continue to endure long after the exercise is complete."

Participating ships from the RTN include the Naresuan-class frigate HTMS Taksin (FFG 422) and the Khamronsin-class corvette HTMS Long Lom (FS 533).

"Guardian Sea is another great opportunity to operate and train at sea alongside our partners from the U.S. Navy," said Capt. Chaksawat Saiwong, commanding officer, HTMS Naresuan. "The complexity of the training and the trust and friendship that come from our time spent at sea together ensures our alliance will remain strong into the future."

Task Force 73 is the U.S. 7th Fleet's Theater Security Cooperation agent for South and Southeast Asia and supports exercises across the region to include the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training series, Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training, the Naval Engagement Activity with Vietnam and the multilateral naval exercise KOMODO.

On behalf of Commander, Task Force 73, Destroyer Squadron 7 serves as operational commander for littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to 7th Fleet, and conducts advanced planning, organizes resources, and directly supports the execution of maritime engagements such as the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise series, the Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) with Vietnam, and the multilateral Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) exercise with Bangladesh, Cambodia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

• Date Taken: 05.22.2017
• Date Posted: 05.22.2017 06:04
• Story ID: 234670
• Location: AT SEA