Frequently Asked Questions about CARAT 2004

What is CARAT?
Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) is an annual series of bilateral military exercises between the United States  and various Southeast Asia nations. The individual exercise phases generally focus on exercises with participating nations' sea services.  The purpose of the exercise series is to improve military readiness and interoperability with each CARAT partner in a variety of mission areas of mutual benefit.

Which Southeast Asia nations are participating in CARAT 2004 with the U.S?
CARAT participants include Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines.

Which ships make up the CARAT 2004 Task Group?
The CARAT Task Group, under the leadership of Commander, Destroyer Squadron One, is made up of the U.S. Coast Guard high endurance cutter Mellon (WHEC 717), the dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), the guided missile destroyers - a CARAT first - USS Russell (DDG 59) and USS McCampbell (DDG 85), and the rescue and salvage ship USS Salvor (ARS 52).

What other units besides the CARAT task group ships are participating in CARAT?
The following units and assets are also taking part in at least one phase of CARAT 2004. Specific force makeup in each phase differs based on training goals:

- one Navy SH-60B Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light 49 (HSL 49), based at Naval Air Station, North Island, Calif. 
- one Navy p-3c Orion maritime surveillance aircraft from Patrol Squadron (VP) 46, based at Whidbey Island, Wash.
- four F/A-18F and six F/A-18C strike fighters, from Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) 195, 192 and 102, forward deployed to Atsugi, Japan 
- Mobile Mine Assembly Unit Ten, Okinawa, Japan
- Fleet Activities, Okinawa, Japan
- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Three 
- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Eighteen 
- Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Singapore
- Beachmaster Unit One, Detachment Western Pacific
- Assault Craft Unit Five, Detachment Western Pacific Alfa
- U.S. Army Veterinarians
- Seventh Fleet Band

How many U.S. personnel are involved in CARAT 2004?
Approximately 1,400 U.S. personnel are taking part.

How many personnel from participating nations are taking part in the various CARAT phases?
The participation level in the various countries varies. Military public affairs offices of the participating nations can provide the most accurate figure. 

What type of exercise events will be conducted with each nation?
The composition and scope of each exercise phase varies by nation and is determined during planning conferences held throughout the previous year, based on the desired focus of by the host nation and U.S. participants. Generally, events include drills and training in skill areas such as:

- at-sea maneuvering and communications
- command and control development
- naval gunnery
- diving and salvage
- vessel boarding search and seizure (VBSS)
- airborne maritime patrol
- medical concepts
- force protection/anti-terrorism

Can media cover exercise events?
Yes. Interested media representatives operating within the various CARAT nations should contact the Royal Thai Navy headquarters, Brunei Ministry of Defence, Republic of Singapore Navy Headquarters, Malaysia Ministry of Defence, or the Philippines Navy headquarters public affairs offices for the most current schedule of opportunities. Remote media outlets can contact Lt. Chuck Bell via email or at (65)9617-8373 with enquiries. 

Are any multilateral exercises planned for CARAT 2004?
No. All of the CARAT exercise phases are bilateral.

How long has CARAT been in existence?
CARAT began in 1995 with the concept of scheduling several previously existing bilateral exercises with Southeast Asian nations into one series of sequential exercises. Doing so resulted in more efficient use of U.S. assets and forces.

Do these exercises have anything to do with current real world crises or situations?
No. CARAT is part of a normal pattern of military cooperation exercises between the U.S. and friends and allies in Southeast Asia. The exercise series is routine in nature and has been scheduled for some time.

When are the individual phases of CARAT 2004?
The specific dates for the individual phases will be released consistent with security guidelines of both the U.S. Navy and the individual host nations. The Singapore phase as conducted May 31 - June 11.

Will there be any community service or civic action projects conducted?
Medical, dental, veterinary, and engineering civic action projects are planned. Sailors and Coast Guardsmen will also participate in a variety of community service projects during each phase of the exercise.