POLICY AND PUBLIC INTEREST
U.S., Thailand Navies reunite to commence CARAT Thailand 2025
The U.S. Navy (USN), Royal Thai Navy (RTN), and Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) officially kicked off the 31st iteration of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise in an opening ceremony held in Sattahip, Thailand.
This year, CARAT Thailand 2025 involves a series of maritime exercises both at sea in the Gulf of Thailand and ashore in Sattahip. The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32), equipped with an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, will work alongside the RTN’s Naresuan-class frigate, HTMS Naresuan, Chao Phraya-class frigate HTMS Saiburi, and Rattanakosin-class corvette HTMS Rattanakosin.
During the ceremony, Capt. Matt Scarlett, commodore of Destroyer Squadron 7 and head of the U.S. delegation, emphasized the importance of the exercise. “This year, as we operate alongside our Royal Thai and Canadian Navy partners, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening maritime security cooperation and fostering a more stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” he stated. “Through exercises like these, we enhance our interoperability and build the relationships necessary to address shared challenges effectively.”
The at-sea training includes anti-submarine warfare exercises, air defense operations, and surface action group coordination, alongside mine countermeasures and search and rescue training. The RCN is participating with a visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) team to engage in specific events.
Admiral Nuttapol Diewvanich, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Fleet, highlighted the benefits of CARAT, saying, “The exercise fosters strong military relationships and mutual understanding between the Royal Thai Navy and U.S. Navy. It also contributes to positive relations and mutual trust between our nations.”
The shore phase of CARAT Thailand features a variety of relationship-building events, such as a sports day, community service activities, and cultural exchanges between the U.S….
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Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins explained the significance of the first action item in the National Farm Security Action Plan, which she said is likely the most important.
“The first of the seven is securing and protecting American farmland ownership, actively engaging at every level of government to take swift legislative and executive action to ban the purchase of American farmland by Chinese nationals and other foreign adversaries,” she said.
Part of that, she said, also involves using presidential authorities to reclaim farmland in the U.S. that is now owned by foreign adversaries.
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Soldiers assigned to the Program Executive Office marked the delivery of a 10th modified UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection during a ceremony in Meridianville, Alabama
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God bless America, and happy Independence Day!
By Maxx Quinten / Executive EditorToday, as the nation marks the 249th anniversary of American independence, citizens reflect on the profound legacy of the Declaration of Independence and the courage of its signers. This momentous occasion not only commemorates a pivotal event in history but also serves as a reminder of the principles that laid the foundation for the United States.
On July 4, 1776, representatives of the fledgling nation appealed to the “Supreme Judge of the world” and boldly declared their right to self-governance, pledging their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to one another. These courageous leaders confronted what they deemed absolute despotism, fueled by their desire for freedom and political liberty. This declaration initiated the American Revolution, a transformative event driven by unprecedented prosperity, scientific advancement, and military strength.
In a speech delivered earlier today, civic leaders emphasized the significance of the revolution, highlighting how it established a model of rights-based political liberty that has resonated globally. “If you believe in the rule of law and the consent of the governed, you are a disciple of the American Revolution,” one speaker remarked, underscoring the foundational values that continue to shape the nation.
The message resonated with calls for unity and a recommitment to national principles. It was noted that for 12 generations, American society has built upon the ideals set forth by its founders. The speech asserted that a great nation cannot thrive while forgetting or undermining its history. “Nations do not survive by teaching their younger generations to despise their country. That is how self-destruction begins,” the leader warned,…
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“Regional peace demands the utmost will and tenacity, and I think we can face these shared security challenges together, and I know we will,” Hegseth stated during the enhanced honor cordon ceremony. He praised Argentina’s recent decisions to strengthen its defense capabilities, which include the acquisition of U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcons and Stryker fighting vehicles.
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