An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News from around the Fleet

Bangladesh, U.S. Kick off bilateral exercise CARAT Bangladesh

01 December 2021

From Lt.j.g. Mohammad Issa

Bangladesh Navy (BN) and U.S. military personnel are partnering in the 27th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) maritime exercise, virtually and in the Bay of Bengal, beginning Dec. 1.
Bangladesh, U.S. Kick off bilateral exercise CARAT Bangladesh
211201-N-KW505-0001 OKINAWA, Japan (Dec. 1, 2021) – Rear Adm. Chris Engdahl, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7, speaks during the opening ceremony for Cooperation Readiness Afloat Training (CARAT) Bangladesh 2021. In its 27th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
Bangladesh, U.S. Kick off bilateral exercise CARAT Bangladesh
Bangladesh, U.S. Kick off bilateral exercise CARAT Bangladesh
211201-N-KW505-0001 OKINAWA, Japan (Dec. 1, 2021) – Rear Adm. Chris Engdahl, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7, speaks during the opening ceremony for Cooperation Readiness Afloat Training (CARAT) Bangladesh 2021. In its 27th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
Photo By: Lt.Cmdr. Sherrie A Flippin
VIRIN: 211201-N-N0831-0006
Bangladesh Navy (BN) and U.S. military personnel are partnering in the 27th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) maritime exercise, virtually and in the Bay of Bengal, beginning Dec. 1. 

 The nine-day engagement focuses on a full spectrum of naval capabilities and features cooperative evolutions that highlight the ability of U.S. and Bangladesh to work together toward the common goal of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. 

“This exercise underscores the excellent partnership between our militaries, and emphasizes both nations’ pledge for a free and open Indo-Pacific, where all nations can operate under a common maritime rules based order,” said Rear Adm. Chris Engdahl, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7, Commander Task Force (CTF) 76.

 The at-sea phase will take place in the Bay of Bengal, where U.S. Navy forces will join with ships and aircraft from the Bangladesh Navy for partnered training focused on building interoperability and strengthening relationships. U.S. Navy ships and aircraft include Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) and embarked MH-60S Seahawk helicopter of Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 21.

 The exercise will feature complex at-sea training to demonstrate the bilateral force’s ability to work together through numerous events, including divisional tactics designed to enhance interoperability as ships sail together in complex maneuvers. Other focus areas include surface warfare, replenishment-at-sea, search and rescue, a gunnery exercise, and exchanges between Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians.

“Objectives of CARAT include enhancing regional cooperation and building relationships,” said Rear Adm. S M Abdul Kalam Azad, commander, Bangladesh Navy Fleet. “Bangladesh, and Bangladesh Navy, are honored to take part in these exercises since 2011. This year, we are hopeful that CARAT 2021 will be a more robust exercise with both in-person and virtual events.”

U.S. personnel include staff from CTF 72, CTF 75, CTF 76, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, U.S. 7th Fleet Band, and U.S. Embassy Dhaka. Virtual subject matter expert exchange events will feature a variety of joint training opportunities, to include maritime aviation, maritime domain awareness (MDA), Women, Peace & Security (WPS) symposium, and EOD and mine countermeasures.

 The intergovernmental organization personnel from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) will provide training through their Global Maritime Crime Programme, and the Bali Process Regional Support Office (BP-RSO) will provide subject matter expertise on combatting people smuggling and human trafficking by sea. 

“Each event perfectly reflects the excellent collaboration between our navies, and emphasizes our partnership to promote regional security,” said Engdahl. “When we combine knowledge, skill and understanding of goals, cultures and ideals it truly makes us a more capable force. It also allows us to more easily combine forces outside of scheduled training during unplanned real-world events.”

The CARAT exercise series, celebrating its 27th anniversary, is designed to address shared maritime security concerns and strengthens partnerships between regional navies. With nearly a half century of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Bangladesh, the two countries continue to work closely together to advance a shared vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific. CARAT Bangladesh 2021 underscores this shared commitment.

 As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed destroyer squadron in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to Singapore, functions as ESG 7’s Sea Combat Commander, and builds partnerships through training exercises and military-to-military engagements.

 Under Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.



 
 

Google Translation Disclaimer

  • Google Translate, a third party service provided by Google, performs all translations directly and dynamically.
  • Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil has no control over the features, functions, or performance of the Google Translate service.
  • The automated translations should not be considered exact and should be used only as an approximation of the original English language content.
  • This service is meant solely for the assistance of limited English-speaking users of the website.
  • Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil does not warrant the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information translated.
  • Some items cannot be translated, including but not limited to image buttons, drop down menus, graphics, photos, or portable document formats (pdfs).
  • Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil does not directly endorse Google Translate or imply that it is the only language translation solution available to users.
  • All site visitors may choose to use similar tools for their translation needs. Any individuals or parties that use Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil content in translated form, whether by Google Translate or by any other translation services, do so at their own risk.
  • IE users: Please note that Google Translate may not render correctly when using Internet Explorer. Users are advised to use MS Edge, Safari, Chrome, or Firefox browser to take full advantage of the Google Translate feature.
  • The official text of content on this site is the English version found on this website. If any questions arise related to the accuracy of the information contained in translated text, refer to the English version on this website, it is the official version.

Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea   |   PSC 478 Box 1   |   FPO AP, 96212-0001
Official U.S. Navy Website