US, BD Navy commence 4th CARAT Bangladesh

CHITTAGONG, Sept 25 (BSS/UNB): The fourth annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise between Bangladesh and the US Navy commenced with an opening ceremony at Naval Base Issa Khan here today, said a US embassy press release issued today.
The exercise consists of 6 days of shore-based and at-sea training events designed to address shared maritime security priorities, to develop relationships, and to enhance cooperation among participating forces. The CARAT Bangladesh 2014 exercise will continue through Sept 30, the press release said.
CARAT that stepped into its 20th year is a bilateral exercise series between the US Navy and the armed forces of nine partner nations in South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste.
"In just a few years, CARAT Bangladesh has become the premier engagement between our navies," said Rear Admiral Charles Williams, Commander of Task Force 73 and U.S. 7th Fleet's executive agent for theater security cooperation in South Asia.
This year, the vessel USNS Safeguard, with a mobile diving and salvage unit, will join Bangladesh Navy ships including the former Hamilton-class cutter, BNS Somudro Joy and the frigate BNS Bangabandhu. Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 staff will embark Somudro Joy as part of a ship rider exchange.