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. and Thai navy bands. Additionally, there will be subject matter expert exchanges focusing on maritime domain awareness, medicine, and at-sea explosive ordnance disposal.
“Beyond the complex maritime exercises, CARAT Thailand is about building lasting relationships between our navies and our people. From joint training at sea to community engagement events ashore, we are strengthening the bonds of friendship and mutual understanding that underpin our strong alliance with Thailand,” Capt. Scarlett added.
Designed to enhance regional security cooperation and maritime interoperability, CARAT Thailand 2025 continues a tradition of fostering collaboration among partner nations in response to shared maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed Destroyer Squadron 7, this team plays a crucial role as the operational commander of littoral combat ships in Southeast Asia, ensuring robust partnerships through training exercises and military engagements.
The U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet, the largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, continues to work closely with allies and partners to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific region, underscoring the importance of such collaborative efforts.
