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Philippines, U.S. to hold 5-day CARAT exercise

Xinhua, June 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Philippines and the United States are set to hold their 22nd Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise next week, the U.S. Embassy in Manila said Friday.

The exercise to be held on June 6-10 will be participated by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

CARAT 2016 will specifically be held in waters near Subic Bay in northern Philippines and Palawan in western part of the country.

"This year's CARAT Philippines will focus on combined operations at sea, amphibious landings, diving and salvage, maritime domain awareness, and community service events," the U.S. embassy said.

The participants will also train in a host of military engagements, professional exchanges and training seminars.

The American troopers participating in the event represent a host of ships, squadrons, and units from across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

This year's exercise features the guided missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63), the landing dock ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), and the diving and salvage ship USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52), along with a P-8 Poseidon aircraft, Navy expeditionary forces, Marines assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force -- 3rd Marine Division, a platoon from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, staff from Commander, Task Force 73 (CTF 73) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, and the 7th Fleet Band Orient Express.

The Philippine Navy assets and units will include the Minesweeper Frigate BRP Rizal (PS74), the Del Pilar Class Frigate BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15), a Landing Craft Heavy vessel, an AW109 helicopter, an EOD Team, Diving Team, Construction platoon, a Marine Company and the Philippine Fleet Band.

The Philippine military has been participating in CARAT since the exercise series began in 1995.

The U.S. Embassy said this year's CARAT will be the "most complex series to date."

CARAT Philippines is part of a broader exercise series the U.S. Navy conducts with partners in South and Southeast Asia to address shared maritime security priorities, strengthen maritime partnerships and enhance interoperability among participating forces. Endit