Following drills with the Malaysian Armed Forces, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps will join the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the next stage in this year’s CARAT exercises.
CARAT Philippines is taking place June 6-10 in multiple locations across the Philippines and in waters near Subic Bay and Palawan.
This year’s CARAT Philippines will focus on combined operations at sea, amphibious landings, diving and salvage, maritime domain awareness, and community service events.
The Philippine Navy assets and units will include the minesweeper frigate BRP Rizal (PS74), the Del Pilar class frigate BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15), a landing craft heavy vessel, an AW109 helicopter, an EOD team, diving team, construction platoon, a marine company and the Philippine Fleet Band.
Sailors and marines will train with their AFP counterparts in a host of military engagements, professional exchanges and training seminars. Civil action projects, community service events and combined military band concerts are also planned to foster relationships and bonds with the Filipino people.
CARAT Philippines is part of a broader exercise series the U.S. Navy conducts with nine partner nations in South and Southeast Asia to address shared maritime security priorities, strengthen maritime partnerships and enhance interoperability among participating forces. The Philippines has participated since the series began in 1995.