Harpers Ferry and 11th MEU Arrive in Brunei for CARAT 2019

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Danielle Serocki | 191010-N-HD110-1180 MAURA, Brunei (Oct. 10, 2019) Sailors man the rails as the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) arrives in Maura, Brunei, for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Brunei. Harpers Ferry and elements of the 11 Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are ashore in Brunei to perform day and night training in an urban environment and to enhance interoperability and partnership between the U.S. and Brunei during CARAT Brunei 2019. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Danielle A. Baker)  

BRUNEI

10.10.2019

Story by Lt. Andrew Bertucci 

Amphibious Squadron 5

BRUNEI – The amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Brunei for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2019 exercise with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Oct. 10.

During CARAT, Marines launched from USS Harper’s Ferry to conduct an amphibious assault using Amphibious Assault Vehicles to secure the beachhead, before moving inland to conduct more jungle warfare and combat medical training.

“Our participation in CARAT shows the United States’ commitment to the region and strengthens longstanding maritime partnerships with our allies,” said Cmdr. Janice Pollard, commanding officer of Harpers Ferry. “Working side-by-side with the RBAF we are able to develop cooperative maritime security capabilities in support of security, stability and prosperity in maritime regions throughout Southeast Asia.”

Exercise CARAT, now in its 25th year, highlights the U.S. commitment to the region and demonstrates U.S. maritime forces in longstanding maritime partnership with RBAF and is a sign of U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific

The overarching goals of the CARAT exercise series are to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships and enhance interoperability among participating forces. CARAT also builds people-to-people relationships through professional exchanges and symposia, sports and social events, and community service projects.

“We're excited at the opportunity to come to Brunei and see this beautiful country,” said Lt. Col. Gary Thompson, commanding officer, Combat Logistics Battalion 11. “Our training here, and more importantly learning from each other's organizations, will make our team better equipped to handle whatever challenges may come our way.”

CARAT, the U.S. Navy's oldest and longest continually-running regional exercise in South and Southeast Asia, strengthens partnerships between regional navies and enhances maritime security cooperation throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Harpers Ferry is part of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 11th MEU team and is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to support regional stability, reassure partners and allies, and maintain a presence postured to respond to any crisis ranging from humanitarian assistance to contingency operations.

• Date Taken: 10.10.2019
• Date Posted: 10.15.2019 08:19
• Story ID: 347646
• Location: BN