DILI, 24 june 2024 (TATOLI) – The U.S. Navy and Timor-Leste Defense Force are proud to participate together in the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Exercise in Timor-Leste as part of the 30th year of the CARAT exercise series.
The CARAT Exercise aims to enhance collaboration focused on shared maritime security challenges in the region.
CARAT Timor-Leste is a weeklong exercise aimed at enhancing collaboration focused on shared maritime security challenges in the region. The exercise commenced with members of the Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Company- Pacific (FASTPAC) and a sports day between members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Timor-Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL) at the National Stadium of Timor-Leste.
With more than two decades of diplomatic relations between the United States and Timor-Leste, this year’s exercise focused on innovative naval capabilities and featured cooperative evolutions highlighting the ability of Timor-Leste and the United States to collaborate on common goals that ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific and a stable and open international system.
“By working together, we demonstrate our resolve to uphold the principles of sovereignty, respect for international law, and the free passage of commerce,” said U.S. Embassy Dili Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Eric Sheffield. “Our combined efforts show we stand united and resolute in the face of any challenges to regional stability and security.”
Now in its 30th year, CARAT exercises address shared maritime security concerns and strengthen partnerships between regional navies. Each exercise features complex training to demonstrate the bilateral force’s ability to work together through numerous events, including traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, and other areas of focus.
As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed DESRON in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility, functions as Expeditionary Strike Group 7’s Sea Combat Commander and builds partnerships through training and exercises and military-to-military engagements.
The U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed, numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
