DHAKA: The Fourth Bangladesh-US annual bilateral military exercise: “Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh”, began Thursday at Naval Base Issa Khan in Chittagong.
Continuing through Sept. 30, CARAT Bangladesh 2014 consists of 6 days of shore-based and at-sea training events designed to address shared maritime security priorities, to develop relationships, and to enhance cooperation among participating forces.
Rear Admiral Charles Williams, Commander Task Force 73 and US 7th Fleet Executive Agent for Theatre Security Co-operation in South Asia, said, “Though Bangladesh is a relatively new CARAT participant, and the only one West of the Andaman Sea, CARAT has quickly become the premier engagement between our navies and reflects our shared commitment to regional maritime security.”
In its 20th year, CARAT is a bilateral exercise series between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of nine partner nations in South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste.
"In just a few years, CARAT Bangladesh has become the premier engagement between our navies," said Rear Admiral Charles Williams, Commander of Task Force 73 and U.S. 7th Fleet’s executive agent for theater security cooperation in South Asia.
This year, the vessel USNS Safeguard, with a mobile diving and salvage unit, will join Bangladesh Navy ships including the former Hamilton-class cutter, BNS Somudro Joy and the frigate BNS Bangabandhu.. Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 staff will embark Somudro Joy as part of a ship rider exchange.
For the first time, a Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft will participate in CARAT Bangladesh alongside the Bangladesh Navy’s Dornier, taking naval aviation training to the next level and enhancing shared maritime domain awareness.
“We are looking forward to going to sea with the Bangladesh Navy this year and training with their ships and aircraft in the Bay of Bengal,” said Captain Fred Kacher, Destroyer Squadron 7 Commodore. “We expect to learn a great deal from them about operating in these vital waters, which connect our navies and our nations.”
U.S. Navy divers and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians will train alongside the Bangladesh Navy’s elite Special Warfare Diving and Salvage (SWADS) unit in Chittagong and the surrounding area. Focus areas will include close quarter battle, small boat maintenance, demolition techniques, hydrographic surveys, diving medicine and salvage operations.
Legal and medical professionals from both navies will exchange best practices during military law and medicine symposia. Receptions, sporting events and community service projects will broaden opportunities to develop personal relationships.
BDST: 1325 HRS, SEP 25, 2014
