Thai - US "CARAT" Joint Military Exercise

The arrival of four U.S. Navy ships and several aircraft at various ports on Thursday marks the beginning of 18th Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Navy and the Armed Forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. 

Additionally, Vietnam participates in a CARAT-like skills exchange. The commander overseeing the exercise for the US Navy is Rear Admiral Thomas Carney who joined Vice Admiral Surachai, Fleet Chief of Staff for the Royal Thai Navy at the opening ceremony at Sattahip Navy Base. The Thai phase of the nine-day exercise which began on Thursday, not only strengthens relationships between the Thai and US Navy’s but also ensures battle readiness for both sides.

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Thai - US Carat 2012 Photos

Thailand (May 17, 2012) Royal Thai Navy Vice Adm. Ardwong Chumnum, Deputy Commander in Chief, Royal Thai Fleet, along with U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Tom Carney, Commander, Task Force 73, address the Royal Thai and U.S. sailors and soldiers during the opening ceremony for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Clowney/Released)

Thailand (May 18, 2012) U.S. and Royal Thai Marines participate in a subject matter expert exchange during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Daniel J. Calderon/Released)

Thailand (May 18, 2012) A Lighter, Amphibious Resupply, Cargo, 5 ton (LARC-V) backs onto Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1633 while participating in a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response training exercise during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Clowney/Released)

Thailand (May 18, 2012) A Royal Thai Navy medium tactical vehicle drives onto the beach from Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 785 assigned to the Royal Thai Amphibious and Combat Support Service Squadron, while participating in a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response training exercise during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Clowney/Released)

 Thailand (May 18, 2012) A Royal Thai Navy medium tactical vehicle drives onto the beach from Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 785 assigned to the Royal Thai Amphibious and Combat Support Service Squadron, while participating in a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response training exercise during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Aaron Glover/Released)

 Royal Thai Navy Riverine Patrol Regiment and U.S. Navy Riverine Squadron 1 Sailors participate in riverine operation exercises aboard Special Operations Craft-Riverine (SOC-R) during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Clowney/Released)

Royal Thai Navy Riverine Patrol Regiment and U.S. Navy Riverine Squadron 1 Sailors participate in riverine operation exercises aboard Special Operations Craft-Riverine (SOC-R) during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Clowney/Released)

Royal Thai Navy Riverine Patrol Regiment and U.S. Navy Riverine Squadron 1 Sailors participate in riverine operation exercises aboard Special Operations Craft-Riverine (SOC-R) during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Clowney/Released)

Royal Thai Navy Riverine Patrol Regiment and U.S. Navy Riverine Squadron 1 Sailors participate in riverine operation exercises aboard Special Operations Craft-Riverine (SOC-R) during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Clowney/Released)

 U.S. Navy Chief Boatswain’s Mate Brandon Fleming from Riverine Squadron 1 demonstrates maneuvering capability of the Special Operations Craft-Riverine (SOC-R) to members of the Royal Thai Navy Riverine Patrol Regiment during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Aaron Glover/Released)

U.S. Navy Diver 2nd Class Alex Weber and Lt. Shauna Marshall with Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit ONE, Co. One-One assist a U.S. Navy diver and Royal Thai Navy diver as they return to USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) following a training dive during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Daniel J. Calderón/Released)

Thailand (May 20, 2012) U.S. and Royal Thai Navy Divers participate in bi-lateral deep sea dive training onboard USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Aaron Glover/Released)

Thailand (May 18, 2012) Royal Thai Navy and U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman carry a patient to the Royal Thai Navy Nighthawk medical evacuation helicopter during a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response training exercise for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Robert Clowney/Released)

Thailand (May 16, 2012) – Deck department Sailors stand by to moor as the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) arrives Sattahip Naval Base. Germantown is in Thailand in preparation for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2012. CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Timor Leste joins CARAT for the first time in 2012. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class N. Ross Taylor/Released)

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