KUANTAN, MALAYSIA – The arrival of U.S. Navy ships belonging to Commander Task Force 73 and a P-3C marked the kickoff to Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, Malaysia 2011.
Patrol Squadron (VP) 40 sent one fully qualified combat aircrew along with maintenance personnel to Kuantan, Malaysia, to participate in the exercise between the United States Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy.
CARAT Malaysia began with a symposium in Cherating, Malaysia, between representatives of CTF 73, Malaysian naval forces, and VP-40. Lt. Thomas Veade, Combat Aircrew Two (CAC-2) Mission Commander, and Lt. Matthew Curtis, CAC-2 Tactical Coordinator, gave a presentation to the Royal Malaysian Navy about the capabilities and limitations of the P-3C Orion and how patrol and reconnaissance forces are able to contribute to the mission.
At-sea evolutions began June 9 and ran around the clock until the morning of June 14. Participating forces included the USS Howard (DDG 83); USS Ford (DDG 54); KD Ledir (F26), a Kasturi class frigate; KD Lekiu (F30), a Lekiu class frigate; and KD Terengganu (F174), a Kedah class offshore patrol vessel.
The first exercise required CAC-2 to maintain radar reference of all vessels within a 1,600-square- mile sector and visual clearance of approximately 13 nautical miles from Howard in support of a patrol and gunnery exercise.
“It was busy out there. With so many surface vessels in the area, it was tasking to keep an updated radar picture. Our equipment worked flawlessly and our crew benefited from excellent training,” stated Naval Aircrewman Second Class Than Ros.
At dusk, the joint training transitioned to a search-and-rescue exercise, in which CAC-2 located and directed Lekir to the location of a simulated overboard sailor.
“The detachment to Malaysia was outstanding. It provided the U.S. Navy with opportunities to enhance our relations with the Malaysian Navy and gave the VP-40 aircrew time on-station with other U.S. assets. The SAREX is a perfect example of an exercise that allows both Malaysian and American forces to overcome language barriers as well as practice for an exercise that saves lives. The experience and lessons learned while working with allied entities is invaluable,” said Lt. Cmdr. Pete Thrift, detachment officer in charge.
On a separate evolution, the P-3C aircrew conducted anti-submarine warfare drills between Howard, Ford, and Lekiu. Additionally, CAC-2 vectored in a Malaysian Super Lynx for a simulated submarine attack.
“Aside from one minor aircraft issue which was resolved on the spot, our maintenance team had the aircraft in an ‘up’ status the entire detachment,” said Aviation Electrician’s Mate First Class Ricardo Carrillo. “The detachment went very smooth. We accomplished our mission due to great efforts by our maintenance crew, had an opportunity to explore the beautiful country of Malaysia, and build friendships among all else.”
Following a closing ceremony, CAC-2 departed Kuantan Air Base and returned to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan.
Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Navy and the Armed Forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
In addition, Vietnam participates in a CARAT-like skills exchange.
