OPS & TRAINING
LEARNING TO "FIGURE IT OUT" AT EX CARAT
30 May 2006
For both maritime security engagements and humanitarian assistance operations alike, having a quick response capability is essential to preventing damage and providing immediate relief.
Thus, it is becoming increasingly apparent that interoperability between various naval forces is a "necessity and not merely a nicety", said Rear-Admiral William R Burke, United States Navy's (USN) Commander Logistics Group Western Pacific.
"Every second, minute or hour saved by not having to quote 'figure it out' when we operate together has the potential to save lives or minimise a threat," he said, during the opening ceremony of the annual Singapore-US Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise.
"That's what CARAT is all about. We 'figure it out' now and in many different areas of expertise that are critical to the conduct of safe, efficient and effective naval operations together."
The twelfth in its series, Ex CARAT 2006 will focus on conventional maritime warfare competencies, such as anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and maritime air operations. In addition, Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) ships and USN ships will also be grouped together in teams for a tactical 'freeplay' scenario.
For the first time, an anti-air twin-towed-target shoot will be incorporated into the sea phase, on top of the existing gun and missile firing. There will also be a convening of a new Joint Symposium focusing on maritime security.
Other highlights of Ex CARAT 2006 include the RSN's firing of Barak missiles against drone targets in a combined anti-missile and anti-aircraft scenario, and the use of the CENTRIX and the ACCESS command and control (C2) systems.
This will allow participating units to share a common tactical picture at sea, thereby increasing exercise realism and the level of understanding between the units.
RSN Fleet Commander Colonel (COL) Tan Kai Hoe, who co-officiated at the opening ceremony, said Ex CARAT had grown in scope and complexity through the years and it remained an excellent platform for mutually beneficial training and professional exchange.
"Ex CARAT has proven to be highly successful in fostering interoperability, mutual understanding and friendship between the USN and RSN," he said.
"This interoperability has brought tangible benefits to the RSN, allowing us to easily plug into coalition operations such as our continued efforts in the reconstruction of Iraq."
added: "Interoperability is not just about sharing a common language, signals or procedures. True interoperability is the visible result of an underlying sense of mutual understanding and cooperation, which can only exist through bonds forged between people."
In total, over 1,500 personnel, 11 ships, a submarine, and fixed and rotary wing aircraft from the Singapore Armed Forces, the USN and the United States Coast Guard are participating in the exercise from 30 May to 13 Jun.
The exercise participants will also take part in a joint community project at the MINDSVille Home for the intellectually disabled.
30 May 06 - United States and Singapore in Naval Exercise CARAT 2006
Thus, it is becoming increasingly apparent that interoperability between various naval forces is a "necessity and not merely a nicety", said Rear-Admiral William R Burke, United States Navy's (USN) Commander Logistics Group Western Pacific.
"Every second, minute or hour saved by not having to quote 'figure it out' when we operate together has the potential to save lives or minimise a threat," he said, during the opening ceremony of the annual Singapore-US Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise.
"That's what CARAT is all about. We 'figure it out' now and in many different areas of expertise that are critical to the conduct of safe, efficient and effective naval operations together."
The twelfth in its series, Ex CARAT 2006 will focus on conventional maritime warfare competencies, such as anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and maritime air operations. In addition, Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) ships and USN ships will also be grouped together in teams for a tactical 'freeplay' scenario.
For the first time, an anti-air twin-towed-target shoot will be incorporated into the sea phase, on top of the existing gun and missile firing. There will also be a convening of a new Joint Symposium focusing on maritime security.
Other highlights of Ex CARAT 2006 include the RSN's firing of Barak missiles against drone targets in a combined anti-missile and anti-aircraft scenario, and the use of the CENTRIX and the ACCESS command and control (C2) systems.
This will allow participating units to share a common tactical picture at sea, thereby increasing exercise realism and the level of understanding between the units.
RSN Fleet Commander Colonel (COL) Tan Kai Hoe, who co-officiated at the opening ceremony, said Ex CARAT had grown in scope and complexity through the years and it remained an excellent platform for mutually beneficial training and professional exchange.
"Ex CARAT has proven to be highly successful in fostering interoperability, mutual understanding and friendship between the USN and RSN," he said.
"This interoperability has brought tangible benefits to the RSN, allowing us to easily plug into coalition operations such as our continued efforts in the reconstruction of Iraq."
added: "Interoperability is not just about sharing a common language, signals or procedures. True interoperability is the visible result of an underlying sense of mutual understanding and cooperation, which can only exist through bonds forged between people."
In total, over 1,500 personnel, 11 ships, a submarine, and fixed and rotary wing aircraft from the Singapore Armed Forces, the USN and the United States Coast Guard are participating in the exercise from 30 May to 13 Jun.
The exercise participants will also take part in a joint community project at the MINDSVille Home for the intellectually disabled.
30 May 06 - United States and Singapore in Naval Exercise CARAT 2006
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