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Cambodian, U.S. navies jointly conduct annual exercise

Xinhua, November 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

Cambodian and U.S. naval personnel on Monday commenced a five-day exercise at the Royal Cambodian Ream Navy Base in southwestern Cambodia's Preah Sihanouk province, according to a press statement released by the U.S. side.

The 6th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise was aimed to increase maritime security cooperation between the U.S. Navy and the Royal Cambodian Navy.

"CARAT enables us to develop strong relationships with our Cambodian Navy partners,"Rear Adm. Charlie Williams, commander of U.S. Task Force 73, said in the statement.

"Through persistent presence and relationships, we continue to make steady progress in increasing the complexity of our training and enhancing cooperation between our navies."

Ashore, the participants will conduct hands-on training in damage control, navigation, tactical combat casualty care (TCCC), force protection and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) techniques, the statement said.

At sea, USS Fort Worth (LCS 3), embarked with Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 staff and an MH-60R helicopter, will train with a flotilla consisting of two RCN Stenka-class patrol boats (Stenka 1143 and 1141) and one Coastal Patrol vessel (PC 1108), it said.

"We're looking forward to getting underway during the sea-phase of CARAT with our partners in the Royal Cambodian Navy," said Capt. H. B. Le, commodore of Destroyer Squadron 7.

"This year USS Fort Worth will participate in CARAT Cambodia for the first time, presenting a unique opportunity for us to train hull-to-hull with the RCN on one of the navy's newest and most agile ships."

Approximately 200 U.S. sailors and 300 Royal Cambodian sailors are participating in CARAT Cambodia 2015.

According to the statement, U.S. Navy ships participating include the Littoral Combat Ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) and USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50). Other participants include divers from Mobile Dive and Salvage Unit (MDSU), a Coastal Riverine detachment, U.S. Navy Seabees and the U.S. 7th Fleet band. Endit