NAVAL TRAINING CENTRE, MUARA, Tuesday 22 October 2019 – The 25th Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) bilateral exercise between the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), and the United States Navy (USN) and United States Marine Corps (USMC), kicked off starting today, 22 October 2019 and will end on 31 October 2019. An opening ceremony to officiate the event was held at Nakhoda Hall, Naval Training Centre (NTC) in Muara Naval Base.
The opening ceremony was officiated by the Guest of Honour, Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Mohammad Sharif bin Dato Paduka Haji Ibrahim, Joint Force Commander, RBAF. Representing the USN was Rear Admiral Murray Joe “JT” Tynch, III, Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific (COMLOG WESTPAC)/Task Force 73 (CTF73)/ Singapore Area Coordinator, and also present was the U.S. Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Matthew J. Matthews. Also amongst those in attendance were participants from involved units from both countries.
CARAT 2019 is of particular significance as it marks the 25th year that the RBAF and USN are co-chairing the exercise together. In the run-up for the exercise, two planning conferences were held – the Initial Planning Conference in June 2019 and the Final Planning Conference in August 2019 – both in Brunei Darussalam.
Prior to the opening ceremony, a few activities have been conducted which includes a land phase, a medical symposium, and force protection training. On top of that, CARAT 2019 will also comprise of a legal symposium, a women’s interaction program, senior enlisted engagement, a harbour phase, and a sea phase. This year’s 25th CARAT exercise will see participation from the Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF), Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), Royal Brunei Airforce (RBAirF), the Military Police, Judge Advocate General’s Office, RBAF Medical Services, the RBAF Band, and Public Relations Unit. Other government agencies such as the Royal Brunei Police Force, Maritime Port Authority Brunei Darussalam, Fisheries Department, Narcotics Control Bureau, Attorney General’s Chambers, Emergency Medical Ambulance Services (EMAS) and University Brunei Darussalam are also participating.
While in the country, Rear Admiral Tynch paid a courtesy call to Major General Pengiran Dato Paduka Seri Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud, Commander RBAF, in conjunction with the exercise. During the call, Commander RBAF welcomed back Rear Admiral Tynch and expressed pleasure to meet him once again in Brunei Darussalam. Both sides commended the close military ties between the RBAF and USN. Commander RBAF also extended his utmost appreciation for the continuous support from the United States Navy and hope to explore more interactions in the future.
The annual CARAT exercise is designed to enhance interoperability, professionalism and proficiency of both armed forces and other participating agencies in addressing current and future threats of mutual concern.
PEMBUKAAN RASMI EKSESAIS CARAT 2019 YANG KE-25
PUSAT LATIHAN TENTERA LAUT, MUARA, Selasa 22 Oktober 2019 – Eksesais dua hala Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2019 yang ke-25 tahun diantara Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB) dan United States Navy (USN) serta United States Marine Corps (USMC) telah bermula pada 22 Oktober 2019 dan akan berakhir pada 31 Oktober 2019. Majlis Pembukaan Rasmi diadakan di Dewan Nakhoda, Pusat Latihan Tentera Laut, Muara.
Tetamu Kehormat bagi pelancaran Majlis Pembukaan Rasmi adalah Brigadier Jeneral (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Mohammad Sharif bin Dato Paduka Haji Ibrahim, Pemerintah Angkatan Bersama, ABDB. Mewakili USN ialah Laksamana Pertama Murray Joe “JT” Tynch, III, Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific (COMLOG WESTPAC)/Task Force 73 (CTF73)/ Singapore Area Coordinator dan turut hadir ialah Duta Besar Amerika Syarikat di Negara Brunei Darussalam, Tuan Yang Terutama Matthew J. Matthews. Majlis tersebut juga dihadiri oleh perwakilan dari unit-unit yang terlibat dari kedua negara.
CARAT 2019 pada tahun ini merupakan sambutan Jubli Perak iaitu yang ke-25 tahun eksesais tersebut dipengerusikan bersama. Dalam persediaan bagi CARAT 2019, dua persidangan perancangan telah diadakan, iaitu Mesyuarat Perancangan Awal pada bulan Jun 2019 dan Mesyuarat Perancangan Akhir pada bulan Ogos 2019, di Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Menjelang majlis pembukaan, beberapa aktiviti telahpun dilaksanakan termasuk fasa darat, simposium perubatan dan force protection training. Selain dari itu, CARAT 2019 juga mengetengahkan aktiviti seperti legal symposium, women’s interaction program, senior enlisted engagement, fasa pelabuhan dan juga fasa laut. Eksesais pada tahun ini akan menyaksikan penyertaan daripada Tentera Darat Diraja Brunei (TDDB), Tentera Laut Diraja Brunei (TLDB), Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei (TUDB), Polis Tentera, Pejabat Perundangan Tentera, Unit Perkhidmatan Perubatan ABDB, Pancaragam ABDB dan Unit Perhubungan Awam. Agensi-agensi kerajaan yang lain seperti Pasukan Polis Diraja Brunei, Pihak Berkuasa Maritim dan Pelabuhan Negara Brunei Darussalam, Jabatan Perikanan, Biro Kawalan Narkotik, Pejabat Peguam Negara, Perkhidmatan Kecemasan Ambulan Perubatan (EMAS) dan Universiti Brunei Darussalam juga terlibat dalam eksesais ini.
Sempena eksesais CARAT 2019, Laksamana Pertama Tynch juga telah mengadakan perjumpaan bersama Mejar Jeneral Pengiran Dato Paduka Seri Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud, Pemerintah ABDB. Semasa perjumpaan tersebut, Pemerintah ABDB menyatakan kegembiraan kerana dapat bertemu lagi dengan Laksamana Pertama Tynch di Negara Brunei Darussalam. Kedua belah pihak seterusnya merakamkan rasa puas hati di atas hubungan ketenteraan yang rapat di antara ABDB dan USN. Pemerintah ABDB juga merakamkan penghargaan di atas sokongan yang berterusan daripada USN dan berharap untuk mengadakan interaksi-interaksi yang lain pada masa akan datang.
Pelaksanaan eksesais tahunan CARAT bertujuan untuk meningkatkan interoperabiliti, profesionalisme dan kemahiran anggota-anggota kedua-dua angkatan tentera serta agensi-agensi yang terlibat dalam menangani isu-isu keselamatan yang berkepentingan bersama.