The 29th Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Exercise in 2023 between the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the United States Navy (USN) and United States Coast Guard (USCG), has concluded in a closing ceremony that took place onboard the United States Coast Guard Cutter Munro.
During the ceremony, closing remarks were delivered by Rear Admiral Joaquin J. Martinez de Pinillos, Vice Commander, United State Seventh Fleet (US 7th Fleet) and Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Alirupendi bin Haji Perudin, Joint Force Commander, RBAF.
Rear Admiral Joaquin J. Martinez de Pinillos, Vice Commander US 7th Fleet, stated that CARAT Exercise with Brunei Darussalam is a bilateral exercise between the two Armed Forces that focuses on strengthening regional maritime security readiness. Whereas Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Alirupendi bin Haji Perudin, Joint Force Commander, RBAF, in his remarks emphasised the importance of CARAT Exercise in further enhance the long bilateral relations between both countries and expressed his satisfaction on the success of the 29th CARAT Exercise.
The 29th CARAT Exercise is aimed to enhance regional cooperation, interoperability and strengthen professional skills among participating forces. These initiatives highlighted RBAF and USN commitments to ensuring that the 29th CARAT Exercise was carried out with best practices.