Brunei, U.S. conlude joint drill

The 22nd annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise between Brunei and the United States concluded here on Friday.

According to Brunei's Ministry of defense, CARAT Brunei 2016 "serves as a credible avenue in sharing best practices, strengthening cooperation in response to shared maritime security challenges and in enhancing interoperability among participating forces of both countries."

The five-day exercise consisted of coastal-based and at-sea training events that were designed to strengthen maritime partnerships and enhance military cooperation between the U.S and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces(RBAF). Around 700 marines and navy personnel from the U.S. joined this year's CARAT exercise with personnel and assets from the Royal Brunei Land Force, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force and other government agencies.

After more than two decades of CARAT engagements, the exercise continues to be a significant platform of military-to-military cooperation between Brunei and the US, Brunei's Ministry of defense stated on its website.

Don Gabrielson, the Commander of U.S. Task Force 73, said that the U.S. "deeply values its relationship with Brunei, centered on a defense partnership that underpins our shared commitment to the peace and security of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region."

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. Endit