ZCZC
BSS-42
US-BANGLA-NAVY-EXERCISE
US-Bangla naval forces joint-exercise opened in Bay
DHAKA, Nov 4, 2020 (BSS) – A joint-exercise of Bangladesh and the United States (US) naval forces virtually opened today on the occasion of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) programme 2020 here.
Commander of Bangladesh Navy Fleet Rear Admiral M Mahbub-Ul Islam, presiding over the opening ceremony, said mutual cooperation and partnership is essential to make the maritime domain safe.
“The longstanding relationship between the US and Bangladesh has been steadfast and time tested,” he said adding that the exercise CARAT with this level of difficulty, of enhancing cooperation, and in friendship, and strengthening professional interoperability, has become a unique forum to work with the U.S. Navy.”
The US and Bangladesh navies expand relationships and broaden maritime awareness during CARAT Bangladesh 2020 which demonstrates the US’s continuing commitment to working with the Bangladesh military to address shared maritime security concerns in the region and strengthen our partnership to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region, said a release of the US embassy here.
“Working together with our friends and partners is a force multiplier for peace and stability,” said Rear Admiral Fred Kacher, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7. “We will continue to operate with and learn from the Bangladesh Navy and we stand shoulder-to-shoulder in our commitment to a free and open maritime commons,” he added.
Historically, CARAT exercises involve people-to-people interactions and relationships through a variety of professional exchanges and symposia, subject matter expert exchanges (SMEEs), community relations projects, and social events.
To mitigate COVID-19 risks, exercise events were planned virtually and current SMEEs will take place online, using real-time virtual meetings, for the US and Bangladesh to share best practices and carry on discussions in a live forum.
Despite the challenges in a COVID-constrained environment, online technology allows the opportunity to safely exercise with partners in the region, the release reads.
The virtual SMEE events will feature a variety of joint training opportunities, to include replenishment at sea (RAS) training, maritime domain awareness (MDA), legal regulations at sea, and aviation best practices of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, and maritime patrol and reconnaissance (MPRA) fixed wing aircraft.
This is the first year the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Bali Process Regional Support Office are supporting CARAT Bangladesh. Both organization’s expertise provides the US Navy and the Bangladesh Navy a better understanding of the international rules and norms associated with operational challenges of today’s complex maritime security mission.
Their technical expertise assisted in developing a tailored scenario with an emphasis on strengthening capacity to adhere to international standards and legal obligations to more effectively counter maritime security challenges at sea.
The sea phase will take place in the Bay of Bengal with ships and from both partner militaries, with events designed to enhance interoperability between the two navies. The US and Bangladesh will work through coordinated deployment of surface ships, to include tactical maneuvers.
Ships will also participate in a gunnery exercise, rehearse division tactics, man overboard and search and rescue procedures, and RAS approaches, all designed to enhance communication sail together in complex maneuvers, the release added.
BSS/PR/SIR/KU/1937 HRS