US Navy Task Group to conduct annual maritime drill in PH

MANILA, Philippines – A US Navy Task Group has arrived in the Philippines to conduct an annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise that aims to “enhance maritime security skills and operational cohesiveness among participating forces,” the US Embassy in Manila said Monday.

In a statement, the US Embassy said CARAT Task Group 73.1, headed by Captain Dave Welch, has arrived in General Santos City.

“Our bilateral operations and training have matured over the past 60 years, and CARAT Philippines is a model for how an exercise series can evolve to bring new value each year,” the US embassy quoted Welch in its statement.

CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the US Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

The embassy said the exercise, now in its 18th year, also focused on relationship building among military participants through sports and social events, and improving community relations through a community service event.

“Skill areas exercised during CARAT include Maritime Interception Operations, diving and salvage operations, naval gunnery and maneuvering events, along with disaster response exercises,” the embassy said.