Sailors and maritime forces from the Bangladesh Navy and U.S. Navy gathered in Chattogram, Nov. 2, for an opening ceremony to commence the annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh 2026.
CARAT is a maritime exercise designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance interoperability among participating forces. This year’s iteration features U.S. Navy Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Warrior (MCM 10) and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft from Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72. Staff and personnel from U.S. 7th Fleet, CTF-72, CTF-73, CTF-76, CTF-77, Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWCPAC), and the U.S. Coast Guard will also participate.
U.S. forces will operate alongside a Bangladesh Navy frigate, mine countermeasures vessel, maritime patrol aircraft, and special operations craft. Personnel from both nations will conduct subject matter expert exchanges (SMEEs) ashore across a range of naval competencies.
“CARAT Bangladesh is a testament to the enduring partnership between the United States and Bangladesh,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Michael Steffens, deputy commodore, CTF-77. “For more than a decade, this exercise has strengthened our ability to work together to address shared maritime security challenges. We look forward to another opportunity to learn from our Bangladesh Navy counterparts and enhance our collective ability to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The shore phase will consist of SMEEs in mine countermeasures, salvage diving, maritime domain awareness, gas-turbine repair, and leadership development. Additionally, service members will participate in relationship-building events, including a sports day.
The tactical, at-sea phase in the Bay of Bengal will emphasize combined readiness through complex evolutions. Planned events include live-fire gunnery exercises; maritime domain awareness exercises; and visit, board, search, and seizure drills designed to strengthen maritime security operations.
CTF-77 directs mine countermeasures assets in the clearance of sea mines to ensure free flow of commerce by sea and freedom of movement of U.S., allied, and partner nation ships and auxiliaries, in peacetime and in conflict.
