BOLKIAH GARRISON, Monday, 18 November 2024 – The opening ceremony for the 30th Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2024 (CARAT 30/2024) bilateral exercise between the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the United States Navy (USN) was held at Wira Seni Concert Hall, RBAF Band Building, Bolkiah Garrison.
The ceremony commenced with welcoming remarks by the Guest of Honor, representing the RBAF, was the Chief of Staff of the Joint Force Headquarters, while the USN was represented by Rear Admiral Katie F. Sheldon, Vice Commander of the US 7th Fleet.
Both Guest of Honors their gratitude for the warm ties between both armed forces and emphasised their commitment to enhancing bilateral defence cooperation through joint exercises and training.
Also in attendance to witness the ceremony was Her Excellency Ambassador Caryn R. McClelland, the US Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, along with participants from both nations.
The CARAT 30/2024 Exercise will feature a wide array of activities at sea, in the air and on land. Planned events include Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) programs such as a Legal Symposium, Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Cyber and Communications Training, Force Protection Training, Maritime Aviation Practices, Media Relations Exchanges,a Women’s Interaction Programme and music performances by military bands. Additionally, a community relations initiative will take place at Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam in Kampung Bengkurong. Two public performances are also scheduled at the Brunei Shell Recreation Club in Seria and Times Square Shopping Mall, Brunei Muara District.
The annual CARAT exercise aims to enhance interoperability, professionalism, and proficiency for both militaries and other participating agencies while improving collaboration to address both traditional and non-traditional security challenges. The CARAT 30/2024 Exercise will take place over eight days from 18 November to 25 November 2024.
MAJLIS PEMBUKAAN COOPERATION AFLOAT READINESS AND TRAINING (CARAT) 2024 KALI KE-30
BOLKIAH GARISON, Isnin, 18 November 2024 – Majlis pembukaan eksesais dua hala Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training kali ke-30 bagi tahun 2024 (CARAT 30/2024) di antara Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB) dan Tentera Laut Amerika Syarikat (TLAS) telah diadakan di Dewan Konsert Wira Seni, Bangunan Pancaragam ABDB, Bolkiah Garison.
Majlis tersebut dimulakan dengan ucapan alu-aluan daripada para Tetamu Kehormat yang mewakili ABDB adalah Ketua Staf Markas Angkatan Bersama, manakala bagi TLAS adalah Rear Admiral Katie F. Sheldon, Vice Commander US 7th Fleet.
Kedua-dua Tetamu Kehormat menyatakan penghargaan terhadap hubungan erat antara kedua buah angkatan tentera dan menekankan komitmen bagi meningkatkan kerjasama pertahanan dua hala melalui eksesais dan latihan bersama.
Turut hadir menyaksikan majlis tersebut adalah Puan Yang Terutama Caryn R. McClelland, Duta Amerika Syarikat di Brunei Darussalam, bersama para peserta dari kedua-dua buah negara.
Eksesais CARAT 30/2024 pada kali ini akan merangkumi pelbagai aktiviti-aktiviti di laut, udara dan darat. Antara acara yang dirancang termasuk program Pertukaran Pakar Subjek (SMEE) seperti Simposium Undang-Undang, Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Latihan Siber dan Komunikasi, Latihan Force Protection, Maritime Aviation Practices, Pertukaran Perhubungan Media, Program Women Interaction dan persembahan muzik dari pancaragam tentera. Selain itu, inisiatif komuniti masyarakat juga akan diadakan di Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam di Kampung Bengkurong. Dua pertunjukan awam turut dijadualkan di Kelab Rekreasi Brunei Shell, Seria dan di Kompleks Membeli-belah Times Square, Daerah Brunei Muara.
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 30/2024 ini akan dijalankan selama lapan hari bermula dari 18 hingga 25 November 2024.
