BOLKIAH GARRISON, Tuesday, 12 September 2023 – The opening ceremony of the 29th Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2023 (CARAT 29/2023) between the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), the United States Navy (USN) and United States Coast Guard (USCG), 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 29/2023,
Colonel (U) Hismawadi bin Haji Mohammad Said, Acting Deputy Joint Force Commander, Joint Force Headquarters (Act DJFC, JFHQ) representing the RBAF and Captain Matt Scarlett, Deputy Commodore, Commander, Destroyer Squadron Seven (CDS 7) representing the USN.
Both co-chairs expressed appreciation for the warm relations between both armed forces and look forward to fostering closer bilateral defence cooperation through field exercises and training.
Also in attendance was 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 a Legal Symposium, Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Medical Exchanges, Force Protection Training, Maritime Aviation Practices, Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures (Ex MCM), Women’s Interaction Program and Band performances. In addition, a musical outreach programme will take place at the Child Development Centre, Kiarong and public performance at One City Shopping Centre, Salambigar.
The annual CARAT exercise is intended to improve the RBAF 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 29/2023 Exercise will be carried out for eleven days from 9 September 2023 until 19 September 2023.
MAJLIS PEMBUKAAN COOPERATION AFLOAT READINESS
AND TRAINING (CARAT) 2023 KALI KE-29
BOLKIAH GARISON, Selasa, 12 September 2023 – Majlis Pembukaan Eksesais dua hala Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training kali ke-29 bagi tahun 2023 (CARAT 29/2023) di antara Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB) dan Tentera Laut Amerika Syarikat (TLAS) dan United States Coast Guard (USCG) telah dirasmikan pada pagi ini di Dewan Konsert Wira Seni, Bangunan Pancaragam, ABDB, Bolkiah Garison.
Semasa majlis pembukaan tersebut, ucapan alu-aluan telah disampaikan oleh pengerusi bersama CARAT 29/2023 iaitu Kolonel (U) Hismawadi bin Haji Mohammad Said, Pemangku Timbalan Pemerintah Angkatan Bersama, Markas Angkatan Bersama (Pmk Timb Pem AB, MAB), yang mewakili ABDB, manakala Kapten Matt Scarlett, Deputy Commodore, Commander, Destroyer Squadron Seven (CDS 7) 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.
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 Undang-undang, Kesedaran Maritim (MDA), Pertukaran Perubatan, Latihan Perlindungan Pasukan, Maritime Aviation Practices, Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures (Ex MCM), Program Interaksi Wanita dan Pancaragam. Selain itu, program amal melalui persembahan muzik akan berlangsung di Pusat Perkembangan Kanak-kanak, Kiarong dan kepada orang awam di One City Shopping Centre, Salambigar.
Eksesais CARAT yang dilaksanakan secara tahunan ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan interoperabiliti, 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 29/2022 ini akan dijalankan selama sebelas hari, bermula dari 9 September 2023 dan berakhir pada 19 September 2023.
