Monday, 15 November 2021 – The opening ceremony of the 27th Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) bilateral exercise between the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the United States Navy (USN) was officiated virtually.
During the opening, both co-chairs of CARAT 2021 gave their welcoming remarks where Colonel Saifulrizal bin Abdul Latif, Chief of Staff, Joint Force Head Quarters (COS, JFHQ) RBAF, represented the RBAF and Captain Tom Ogden, Commodore, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7 (COMDERSON SEVEN), represented the USN.
In the COS of JFHQ remarks, he stated that the persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic had not discouraged both countries from proceeding with CARAT 2021 as planned in the pursuit of knowledge and experience in addressing security threats. The exercise planners have ensured that the exercise will achieve its objective while still adhering to the Ministry of Health’s guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, COMDERSON SEVEN reiterated that the 27th CARAT underscores the longstanding role of CARAT to address shared maritime security interests amongst its partners to ensure regional security, stability, and prosperity.
Also in attendance virtually were Commander Randall D Jones, USN, the Chief Office of Defence Cooperation, U.S. Embassy in Brunei Darussalam, as well as participants from relevant units from both countries.
This year’s activities once again will include a contactless Sea Phase exercise and Shore Phase done through virtual interaction, including Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Riverine Best Practices, Force Protection Training, Capability of Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), Maritime Aviation Practices, women’s interaction program, Band Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), medical expert in executing mitigation of current pandemic as well as a legal symposium.
The annual CARAT is intended to improve the armed forces and other participating agencies interoperability, professionalism, and proficiency and improve collaboration in response to both traditional and non-traditional security challenges. The CARAT 2021 will be carried out for four days beginning from 15 November 2021 and ends on 19 November 2021.
MAJLIS PEMBUKAAN COOPERATION AFLOAT READINESS AND TRAINING (CARAT) 2021 KALI KE-27
Isnin, 15 November 2021 – Majlis Pembukaan Eksesais dua hala Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2021 ke-27 di antara Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB) dan Tentera Laut Amerika Syarikat (TLAS) telah dirasmikan secara dalam talian.
Semasa pembukaan, pengerusi bersama CARAT 2021 memberikan ucapan alu-aluan mereka di mana Kolonel Saifulrizal bin Abdul Latif, Ketua Staf, Markas Angkatan Bersama (KS, MAB) ABDB, telah mewakili ABDB manakala Captain Tom Ogden, Commodore, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7 (COMDERSON SEVEN) mewakili TLAS.
Dalam ucapan KS, MAB, beliau menyatakan bahawa pandemik COVID-19 yang berterusan itu tidak mematahkan semangat kedua-dua negara dari meneruskan CARAT 2021 seperti yang dirancangkan dalam meraih ilmu pengetahuan dan pengalaman dalam menangani ancaman keselamatan. Para perancang latihan juga memastikan agar latihan ini mencapai objektifnya dan mematuhi garispandu pencegahan COVID-19 dari Kementerian Kesihatan.
Sementara itu, COMDESRON SEVEN menekankan bahawa CARAT ke-27 menggariskan peranan CARAT yang telah lama wujud dalam menangani kepentingan keselamatan maritim bersama di kalangan rakan kongsinya bagi memastikan keselamatan, kestabilan dan kemakmuran serantau.
Turut hadir secara dalam talian adalah Komander Randall D Jones TLAS, Ketua Pejabat Pertahanan, Kedutaan Amerika Syarikat di Negara Brunei Darussalam serta peserta dari unit-unit yang berkenaan dari kedua negara.
Eksesais pada tahun ini sekali lagi merangkumi latihan Fasa Laut tanpa sentuhan dan Fasa Pantai yang dilaksanakan melalui interaksi dalam talian termasuk Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Riverine Best Practices, Latihan Perlindungan Pasukan, Keupayaan Sistem Udara Tanpa Pemandu (UAS), Latihan Penerbangan Maritim, Program Interaksi Wanita, Band Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), pakar perubatan dalam melaksanakan mitigasi pandemik semasa serta simposium undang-undang.
Eksesais CARAT yang dilaksanakan secara tahunan ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan interoperability, profesionalisme dan kecekapan kedua-dua angkatan tentera dan agensi yang mengambil bahagian serta meningkatkan kerjasama dalam memberikan tindak balas dalam menangani cabaran keselamatan tradisional dan bukan tradisional. Eksesais CARAT 2021 ini akan dijalankan selama empat hari, bermula pada 15 November 2021 dan berakhir pada 19 November 2021.