US, Brunei Military Ties will continue to be close

 

Rear Admiral Don Gabrielson, the Commander of Task Force 73 with Brigadier General (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Hamzah bin Haji Sahat, Joint Force Commander of the RBAF at the launching ceremony for 22nd CARAT Exercise. – JAMES KON

US, Brunei military ties will continue to be close
on: November 15, 2016
| James Kon |

THROUGH 22 years of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Exercise, the military relationship between Brunei Darussalam and the United States is outstanding, and will continue to be close, said Rear Admiral Don Gabrielson, the Commander of Task Force 73, who is currently in the country for the joint exercise.

Rear Admiral Gabrielson was speaking to the local press yesterday, following the launching of the 22nd annual CARAT maritime drill at the Training Centre of the Royal Brunei Navy in Muara.

During the interview, Rear Admiral Gabrielson said, “CARAT is important for our 170-year-old relationship with Brunei, and these exercises are good for several things such as training maritime enforcement and the marine forces.

“In addition, the exercise is important in the building of new friendships for the future leaders of our militaries, so that they will continue to work together not only today, but for years to come.”

Rear Admiral Gabrielson reiterated that CARAT is an important dimension for both Brunei Darusslam and the United States, as countries with a common interest of shared security in the region and around the world.

When asked whether the CARAT exercises would continue in the years to come, he replied, “It’s an important relationship-building tool for both countries. We have every reason to believe the exercise will be continued, and we are very excited about that.”

CARAT is a bilateral exercise series between the United States Navy and the armed forces of nine partner nations in South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

The CARAT Exercise aims to enhance regional military-to-military cooperation, building friendship and strengthening professional skills among participating forces. As one of the original CARAT partners, the Royal Brunei Armed Forces has been part of the naval training exercises since it began in 1995.

Members of the public can also watch joint military band performances at 8pm tonight, in the Times Square Shopping Centre; at the Brunei Shell Recreation Club (BSRC) in Seria, tomorrow; and at the Jerudong Park Playground on Friday night.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin