Bangladesh, US Navy kick off 24th CARAT exercise

The US and Bangladesh Navy kicked off the 24th iteration of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) in Chittagong, Bangladesh, November 4.

Sailors and marines across five ships including a guided missile frigate and patrol craft from the Bangladesh Navy, and a maritime patrol aircraft and dry cargo ship USNS PFC Dewayne T. Williams (T-AK-3009) from the US Navy, will conduct a series of cooperative evolutions ashore and at-sea.

Joint evolutions are designed to highlight the ability for both navies to work together in ensuring maritime security, stability and prosperity.

“The long-standing partnership between Bangladesh and the United States has contributed to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Rear Adm. Joey Tynch, Commander Task Force 73. “These engagements reflect our shared belief that regional challenges increasingly require cooperative solutions by capable naval forces.”

“We all understand the complexities of the maritime domain, and we need collaborative initiatives for all like CARAT,” said Rear Adm. M Abu Ashraf, Commander, Chattogram Naval Area. “Our bond between our two navies will continue to develop; mutual cooperation will further enlarge.”

The sea phase will encompass complex scenarios in the Bay of Bengal to include a tracking exercise aimed at increasing both navies’ ability to together track and pursue targets through the coordinated deployment of surface ships and maritime patrol aircraft, division tactics designed to enhance communication as ships sail together in complex maneuvers, and a screening exercise to increase proficiency of ships to defend from potential threats.

Along with the annual CARAT exercise, the US and Bangladesh Navy continue to participate in a growing number of bilateral and multilateral maritime exercises including this year’s 17th annual Southeast Asia Cooperation Training (SEACAT) and 26th biennial Rim of Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. Maritime exercises conducted between both partner navies are designed to address the full spectrum of maritime operations with CARAT focusing on maritime security operations and SEACAT on information sharing and maritime domain awareness.