Cities And Towns
RP, US navies to hold 'CARAT' military exercise in Palawan
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May 19, 2008 - 7:42:47 PM

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, May 20 (PNA) -- The Philippine and United States navies will conduct the annual bilateral naval training exercise “Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training” (CARAT) from May 24 to June 4.

CARAT 2008 is a combined naval tactical operations exercise involving fleet forces of both RP and US Navies.

LCDR Joselito De Guzman, Public Information Officer of Naval Forces West (Navforwest) here, said several activities are lined up for the exercise such as communication relations projects and providing medical/dental/engineering civic action projects in host communities.

The communication relations projects will be held in West Central School, Share a Life, Bahay ni Nanay, Bancao-bancao Elementary School and Puerto Princesa Pilot Elementary School, all in this city and Panacan Elementary School in Barangay Panacan, Narra town.

The medical, dental and veterinary services will be held in Aborlan and Narra towns.

On May 24, the USS Tortuga (LSD 46), a dock landing ship serving under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7/Task Force 76, will arrive at the city’s pier.

ESG 7/Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.

De Guzman said the CARAT’s goal is to strengthen the cooperation between the RP-US navies in thwarting intercontinental and trans-border crimes, piracy and maritime terrorism which are growing concerns of the global community.

The RP and US navies will exchange information and exercises on various fields, such as at sea tactical operations and amphibious training which will be held in Inagawan Beach, this city.

Last year, some 1,400 U.S. troops participated in CARAT that kicked off in Western Mindanao headquarters in Zamboanga City.