Joint exercise to foster ties and operational readiness

By PETER NUNIS | streets@nstp.com.my

SUCCESSFUL: Exercise Carat 2012 between Malaysia and the United States to enhance maritime security skills ends on a positive note

‘USS Germantown’ anchored off Pangkor. Pix by Peter Nunis

‘CGC Waesche’ sailing into the RMN port.

‘USS Vandergrift’ sailing pass Pangkor.

Disembarkation of US Marines from the LCU vessel.

Participants of both nations at the bridge simulation exercise.

LUMUT: EXERCISE Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Carat) 2012, jointly conducted by the Malaysian and United States armed forces, and designed to enhance maritime security skills and operational cohesiveness, ended on a positive note.
Royal Malaysian Navy Fleet Headquarters commander Vice-Admiral Datuk Abdul Hadi Rashid and US Logistics Group Western Pacific commander Rear Admiral Thomas F. Carney officiated at the closing ceremony of the exercise at the RMN's Maritime Tactical Centre here recently.
Abdul Hadi said activities and training were conducted smoothly.
Carat 2012, he said, besides promoting understanding, cooperation and interaction between both groups of armed forces members, had also served as a platform to foster a better relationship between Malaysia and the United States.
Meanwhile, Carney, who was involved in every programme on the schedule, said everyone had worked together professionally for a common goal.
"The lessons learnt during the exercise are immeasurable, and the bond of friendship forged between the participants are a very important mechanism and good foundation for future exercises," he noted.
Since its inception in 1995, Exercise Carat, under the American and Malaysian training programme pact, has been hosted annually by the RMN.
The exercise generally covers post command and field training procedures.
Exercise Carat 2012, held over a period of eight days, covered a broad spectrum of military and social activities, such as command post exercises, military operations, a law and public affairs symposium, a medical symposium, diving operations, an explosive ordnance disposal exercise, community service, an engineer community assistance programme and force protection training.
The exercise involved 1,000 members of the US Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps who arrived here onboard USS Germantown, the frigate USS Vandergrift and coast guard cutter Waesche.
About 200 members of the RMN, Royal Malaysian Air Force and Royal Malay Regiment Airborne Unit also took part.
Earlier, Exercise Carat 2012 was launched by US Ambassador to Malaysia Paul W. Jones and Joint Forces Command head (Air Force) Maj-Gen Datuk Abu Bakar Md Said at the Maritime Tactical Centre.