The fifth annual ‘Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)-2015’ exercise between Bangladesh and US Navy begins today at Chittagong Naval area to enhance regional cooperation, building friendship and strengthening professional skills among the naval forces of the two countries. At a press briefing, held at the Naval Headquarters at Banani, US Navy Commander (Logistics Group Western Pacific and Commander, Task Force -73) Rear Admiral Charles Williams informed that there will be two phases in this exercise. The shore phase will be held from September 29 to October 4, in which a number of bilateral exercises and training packages will be conducted.
During the sea exercise phase, ships of Bangladesh Navy and US Navy will participate in joint exercises in the Bay of Bengal from September 30 to October 2 this year. The five-day long exercise includes search and rescue operations at sea, disaster management, emergency medical treatment, appropriate implementation of military law and special training on maritime patrol aircraft and helicopter operations. The major US units taking part in the exercise are USS Fort Worth, USNS Safeguard, Organic Helicopter  MH-60R, P-3C MPA and Special Forces Units. On the other hand, Bangladesh Navy warship Bangabandhu, Somudra Joy, Abu Bakr, Bijoy, Dhaleshawary, Shah Jalal and BNT Khadem, Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and special force SWADS are taking part in the exercise. This joint exercise will formally end on October 4. The joint exercise will improve the professional knowledge and skills of the members of Bangladesh Navy and strengthen the existing bilateral relation and co-operation between the two friendly navies, said a press release. The US Rear Admiral Charles Williams also made a courtesy call on Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral M Farid Habib at his office yesterday.