BOLKIAH GARRISON, Monday, 24 October 2022 – The opening ceremony of the 28th Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2022 bilateral exercise between the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the United States Navy (USN) was officiated at Wira Seni Concert Hall, RBAF Band Building, Bolkiah Garrison.
During the opening ceremony, welcoming remarks were delivered by the co-chairs of CARAT 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Aldi bin Haji Hassan, Acting Deputy Joint Force Commander, Joint Force Headquarters (Act DJFC, JFHQ) whom is representing RBAF and Captain Walter C. Mainor, Commander, Destroyer Squadron Fifteen (CDS 15) representing the USN.
Both co-chairs expressed appreciation for the long-existing relations between both armed forces and look forward to fostering closer bilateral defence cooperation through field exercises and training especially during the endemic phase.
Also in attendance were Lieutenant Commander Samuel Kim, USN, the Chief Office of Defence Cooperation, U.S. Embassy in Brunei Darussalam, as well as exercise participants from both countries.
During the CARAT exercise, a diverse range of at-sea, air and ashore exercise events have been planned. Similarly, Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) programs will be held which include Coastal Riverine, Marine Jungle Operations, Military and International Law, Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Medical and Dental exchange, Force Protection Training, Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), Maritime Aviation Practices, Diving Exercise, Women’s Interaction Program and Band. In addition, a musical outreach programme will take place at the Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam and Jerudong Park Amphitheatre.
The annual CARAT is intended to improve the Armed Forces and other participating agencies’ interoperability, professionalism, and proficiency as well as improve collaboration in response to both traditional and non-traditional security challenges. The CARAT 2022 Exercise will be carried out for eight days from 24 October 2022 until 31 October 2022.
MAJLIS PEMBUKAAN COOPERATION AFLOAT READINESS
AND TRAINING (CARAT) 2022 KALI KE-28
BOLKIAH GARISON, Isnin, 24 Oktober 2022 – Majlis Pembukaan Eksesais dua hala Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2022 kali ke-28 di antara Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB) dan Tentera Laut Amerika Syarikat (TLAS) telah dirasmikan pada pagi ini di Dewan Konsert Wira Seni, Bangunan Pancaragam, ABDB, Bolkiah Garison.
Semasa majlis pembukaan, ucapan-ucapan aluan telah disampaikan oleh pengerusi bersama CARAT 2022 iaitu Leftenan Kolonel Aldi bin Haji Hassan, Pemangku Timbalan Pemerintah Angkatan Bersama, Markas Angkatan Bersama (Pmk Timb Pem AB, MAB), yang mewakili ABDB, manakala Kapten Walter C. Mainor, Komander, Destroyer Squadron Fifteen (CDS 15) mewakili TLAS.
Kedua pengerusi bersama telah merakamkan penghargaan atas hubungan erat dua hala di antara kedua-dua buah negara dan mengharapkan kerjasama pertahanan ini dikekalkan melalui eksesais dan latihan memandangkan negara berada di fasa endemik.
Turut hadir adalah Leftenan Komander Samuel Kim, TLAS, Ketua Pejabat Pertahanan, Kedutaan Amerika Syarikat di Negara Brunei Darussalam serta peserta dari kedua negara, pegawai-pegawai kanan dan peserta-peserta dari ABDB dan TLAS.
Semasa latihan CARAT, pelbagai kegiatan di laut, udara dan darat telah pun dirancang. Begitu juga dengan beberapa program Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) seperti Coastal Riverine, Marine Jungle Operations, Undang-undang Tentera dan Antarabangsa, Kesedaran Maritim (MDA), Pertukaran Perubatan dan Pergigian, Latihan Perlindungan Pasukan, Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), Maritime Aviation Practices, Latihan Penyelam, Program Interaksi Wanita dan Pancaragam. Selain itu, program amal melalui aktiviti muzik akan berlangsung di Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam dan Dewan Jerudong Park Amphitheatre.
Eksesais CARAT yang dilaksanakan secara tahunan ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan interoperability, profesionalisme dan kecekapan kedua-dua angkatan tentera dan agensi-agensi yang mengambil bahagian serta meningkatkan kerjasama dalam memberikan tindak balas dalam menangani cabaran keselamatan tradisional dan bukan tradisional. Eksesais CARAT 2022 ini akan dijalankan selama lapan hari, bermula dari 24 Oktober 2022 dan berakhir pada 31 Oktober 2022.