Phl, US navies kick off CARAT 2011 tomorrow

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, June 27 (PIA) -- Philippine and United States navy men kick off tomorrow this year’s Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), the annual bilateral maritime exercise here in Puerto Princesa City.
This is the second time that CARAT exercise is conducted in Palawan. The first CARAT was held in 2008 in Puerto Princesa City. Planning for this exercise was conducted as early as last year.
In an interview with Major Neil Anthony Estrella, Spokesperson for the Western Command, about 1,000 US sailors are expected to participate in the ashore training and at-sea phase of CARAT.
He also said that this year’s CARAT promises to be very meaningful and relevant for the two navies and will further strengthen the relationship between our country and the United States.
He said that two destroyer and one salvage ships are to be used by the United States Navy as their centerpieces for the exercise. The Philippines will utilize all the patrol ships deployed under the Naval Forces West.
Apart from the military exercise, there will also be symposia on search and rescue practices and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. There will also be joint medical, dental and civic action activities in selected communities in Puerto Princesa City.
CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the United States Navy and the Naval Forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The exercise in Puerto Princesa City will end on July 4th.

(vsmendoza/pia-palawan)