SINGAPORE and the United States are conducting a series of annual bilateral maritime exercises from Monday to June 19.
The yearly Singapore-US Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise will involve the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the United States Navy (USN) and the United States Coast Guard (UCSCG).
Called Ex CARAT 2009, the exercise will focus on conventional maritime warfare competencies in five areas -- anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine warfare, maritime air operations, and maritime security operations.
This series of drills, conducted since 1995, serves to enhance interoperability and professional cooperation between the participating forces of Singapore and the US.
For the first time, submariners from the RSN and the USN will operate together in a submarine tracking exercise this year.
A total of 1,500 personnel, 11 ships, two submarines and 18 fixed and rotary wing aircraft from both countries are involved in the exercise.
Rear-Admiral Ng Chee Peng, the RSN's Chief of Staff-Naval Staff and Fleet Commander, and Rear-Admiral Nora Tyson, the USN's Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific, co-officiated at the opening ceremony for Ex CARAT 2009 at the Changi Naval Base on Monday morning.
