CARAT Bangladesh Kicks Off

The fourth annual exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh commenced with an opening ceremony at Naval Base Issa Khan, Sept. 25.

Continuing through Sept. 30, CARAT Bangladesh 2014 consists of six days of shore-based and at-sea training events designed to address shared maritime security priorities, develop relationships and enhance cooperation among participating forces.

“In just a few years, CARAT Bangladesh has become the premier engagement between our navies,” said Rear Adm. Charlie Williams, commander, Task Force 73 and U.S. 7th Fleet’s executive agent for theater security cooperation in South Asia.

U.S. Navy units participating in CARAT Bangladesh include the diving and salvage ship USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) with embarked Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1, a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft operated by Patrol Squadron (VP) 5, staff from Commander, Task Force (CTF) 73 and Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, Afloat Training Group Western Pacific (ATGWP), Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, and Navy Environmental and Preventative Medicine Unit (NEPMU) 6.

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Press Release, September 26, 2014; Image: US Navy