The sixth and final phase of the 2005 Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise series is underway following an Aug. 16 ceremony that marked an official start to a weeklong series of events ashore and at sea focused on increasing maritime interdiction capabilities of the U.S. and Philippine navies. Nearly 2,000 personnel from the armed forces of both nations and nine ships are taking part in the exercise. In its 11th year, CARAT is an annual series of bilateral military training exercises with several Southeast Asia nations, designed to enhance the interoperability of the countries’ respective sea services in a variety of mission areas that are mutually beneficial. This year’s CARAT series focuses on the development of skills useful in tackling maritime threats. “These threats include maritime piracy and armed robbery, as well as maritime terrorism and transnational crimes committed at sea,” said Commander, Task Force 712, Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn, the executive agent for CARAT, during remarks at the opening ceremony in the Subic Arts Center. Full Story
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