Phl-US joint naval exercises a success, says Navy

By Jaime Laude
Philippine Star, Thursday, July 7, 2011

MANILA, Philippines - The joint naval exercise of the Philippines and the United States in Palawan near disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea ending tomorrow was hailed a success.

Dubbed as Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011, the joint naval exercise is the yearly naval event between the Philippine and US navies in line with the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the two allies.

“The event was a success because we have accomplished all plans and programs for the event,” said Maj. Niel Estrella, spokesman of the Western Command (Wescom) based in Puerto Princesa City.

Estrella said the troops at Wescom are hoping that next year’s CARAT would again be held in Palawan since the island province offers the best training ground for naval exercises.

He said that aside from Filipino sailors and Marines, at least 800 US servicemen who took part in this CARAT have also gained additional experience on the intricacies of a joint naval operation.

Two Philippine Navy ships, the BRP Rizal and BRP Pangasinan, two US Navy guided-missile destroyers USS Chung-Hoon, USS Howard and US Navy’s dive and salvage ship USN Safeguard took part in this year’s 11-day Naval drill within the Sulu Sea area.

The joint naval war games started last June 28 at a time when tension over territorial disputes in the nearby West Philippine Sea have been mounting due to the aggressive behavior of China to assert its claim over the entire South China Sea, part of which is also being claimed by the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Taiwan.

Aside from the routine civil-military operations, Filipino and US troops also took part in various naval drills on the high seas, which include maritime security and interdiction operations to further enhance interoperability among the two naval forces as well as target acquisition or live fire exercises.

“We are hoping that CARAT would again be held here next year as this will open more opportunities for training our own Navy personnel,” Estrella said.

Estrella brushed aside reports that condoms were distributed to US servicemen before disembarking from their warships that docked at the Puerto Princesa City port.

He said that most health and wellness products, including condoms, are always available in all US ships for crewmembers but not for distribution by their officers as reported.

“Of all the health and wellness products located along strategic areas of the ship’s hallway, mediamen on a guided tour on the US warships only reported the condoms and did not mention other health and wellness products like sun blocks that are always available to all crewmembers on board,” Estrella said.

He denied that condoms were distributed to the US soldiers.

“Optional ito to all US servicemen as well as other militaries around the globe,” Estrella said.

philstar.com

CARAT 2011 holds medical mission, community services

PIA, Wednesday, June 6, 2011

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, July 6 (PIA) –- Community services like medical missions remain part of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011 in Palawan as participants embark on strengthening United States’ and Philippines’ military capabilities.

In a press release, the 6th Civil relations group of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reported that recently the United States naval servicemen, with their Filipino counterpart who are participating in the CARAT, conducted a medical and dental mission in Bgy Tagabinet, Puerto Princesa City last June 29, benefiting hundreds of residents of the village.

Free medical check-up and tooth extraction were offered in the said civic activity. Medicines were also handed out to patients.

The medical mission was part of the annual bilateral military training exercise between the US and the Philippine navies that aim to further strengthen cooperation between, and improve the capabilities of, the two countries’ naval forces.

It was among the several community service activities of CARAT 2011 lined up to reach out to the Palaweňos.

Other activities include the holding of community relation activities in Bgy Tagburos Elementary School and Gregorio Oquendo Memorial Elementary School. Free music lessons were also offered at the Palawan State University Laboratory High School and Palawan National School.

A week before the joint military training officially kicked off, CARAT participants have already started the construction of a social hall and comfort rooms at West Elementary School in Bgy Mangingisda, Puerto Princesa City.

CARAT 2011 opened on June 28 with the arrival of three US navy ships that will be part of the 10-day military training. The exercises will be held in the Sulu Sea.

Moreover, the Philippine Marine Corps and the US 7th Fleet Band will hold a free band concert at the People’s Amphitheater in Mendoza Park, Puerto Princesa City and at the NCCC mall to cap off the activity.

This year’s CARAT will focus more on enhancing both countries’ naval capabilities in maritime defense, resource protection and disaster response operations through actual exercises and information exchanges.

Approximately 800 US navy servicemen and 457 Philippine Navy personnel is participating in this year’s bilateral military training. (6CRGAFP/RVC-PIA9 BaSulTa)

pia.gov.ph

U.S., Philippine navies join for 17th CARAT Exercise in Palawan

By Ho'okele Staff
Pearl Harbor-Hickman News, Saturday, July 2, 2011

Armed Forces of the Philippines Navy Capt. Ronald Joseph S. Mercado, left, deputy commander of Naval Forces West, and U.S. Navy Capt. David Welch, commander of Task Group 73.1, greet Cmdr. Scott Erb, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93), as the ship arrives in Puerto Princesa to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines 2011

hookelenews.com

U.S., Philippine navies join for 17th CARAT Exercise in Palawan

By Hookele Staff
Hickman News, Saturday, July 2, 2011

Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Public Affairs

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines (NNS) Three U.S. Navy ships arrived in Puerto Princesa, Philippines, to launch the 17th Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines on June 28.

Guided-missile destroyers USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), homeported at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, USS Howard (DDG 83) and diving and salvage ship USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) are the U.S. Navy’s centerpieces for the exercise, which features 11 days of training exchanges with the Philippine navy, both ashore and at sea.

This year marks the second time in recent years that CARAT has been held in Palawan. The exercise was held in Puerto Princesa in 2008, in 2009, the exercise was held in Cebu and in 2010 at Subic Bay.

Ashore training includes such specialties as visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercises, diver training, salvage operations, joint medical, dental and civic action projects, and aircrew familiarization exchanges. Additionally, there will be symposia on operations planning, search and rescue practices, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, interagency cooperation and public affairs.

The at sea phase of CARAT focuses on developing maritime security capabilities in areas such as maritime interdiction, information sharing, combined operations at sea, patrol operations and gunnery exercises, plus antipiracy and anti-smuggling exercises.

“The U.S. and Philippine navies have a long history of working together, and exercises like CARAT provide a great venue for us to hone our skills and increase our interoperability,” said Capt. David Welch, Commander, Task Group 73.1 and the commander for the exercise.

Approximately 800 U.S. Navy personnel are participating in CARAT Philippines 2011. In addition to the three ships, other participants include U.S. Navy Seabees, a U.S. Coast Guard maritime safety and security team (MSST), U.S. Navy Mobile Security Squadron, U.S. Navy Riverine Forces, medical support personnel, and P-3C Orion and SH-60 Seahawk aircraft.

CARAT is a series of annual bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The CARAT series began in 1995 with six partner nations; Cambodia joined the series in 2009 and Bangladesh joined in 2010.

hookelenews.com

U.S. Navy Teams Up with Philippine Navy for CARAT Exercises

Defense, Maritime Security, Friday, July 1 2011

Three ships of the United States Navy arrived in Puerto Princesa, in the island of Palawan, the Philippines, on June 28: guided-missile destroyers USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), USS Howard (DDG 83) and diving and salvage ship USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50). The ships were in the Southeast Asian archipelago to team up with the Philippine Navy for the 17th Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), a series of annual bilateral military exercises.

A feature on the Navy website shared that this is the second time that the island of Palawan played host to the exercises in the Philippines. Last year’s CARAT was held at Subic Bay, while Cebu hosted CARAT in 2009. The last time Palawan hosted the exercises was in 2008. CARAT consists of eleven days of training exchanges, both ashore and at sea.

Capt. David Welch, Commander of Task Group 73.1, shared: “The U.S. and Philippine navies have a long history of working together, and exercises like CARAT provide a great venue for us to hone our skills and increase our interoperability.”

Among the training activities are Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) exercises; diver training; salvage operations; joint medical, dental and civic action projects, and aircrew familiarization exchanges, as enumerated by the Navy feature. There will also be symposia conducted on the following topics: operations planning, search and rescue practices, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, interagency cooperation and public affairs.

Aside from the Philippine Navy, the U.S. Navy also teams up with the Armed Forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand for CARAT exercises.

maritimesecurity.asia

Civic Action project jumpstarts CARAT 2011

PIA, Friday, July 1, 2011

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, July 1 (PIA) -– An Engineering Civic Action Project (ENCAP) jumpstarts the annual joint training exercise of United States forces and the Philippine Navy dubbed as Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011 in Palawan.

The 6th Civil Relations Group of the Armed Forces of the Philippines disclosed that an advance party of the United States naval contingent to participate in ENCAP at Barangay Mangingisda of Puerto Princesa City last week. The ENCAP was started a week earlier than the scheduled opening of the military exercise.

The American Navy personnel headed by Lt. Jun Pilon together with troops from the Naval Task Group Palawan (SEABEES) headed by Ens. Christian Carmona and Naval Forces West (NFW) started conducting excavation, site preparation and layout last June 22 in preparation for the construction of a social hall and comfort rooms in West Elementary School. The project is expected to be finished before the end of the CARAT 2011 Exercise.

CARAT 2011 is a ten-day joint naval tactical operation exercise between the forces of the Philippine and US navies mandated under the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty. This year’s exercise will be held on the eastern waters of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan and in the Sulu Sea.

The annual joint military exercise, which is being held for more than 10 years now, aims to strengthen cooperation between the two naval forces in fighting intercontinental and trans-border crimes that includes piracy, smuggling, human trafficking and maritime crimes.

Aside from holding military exercise, several community service projects are also lined up as part of CARAT 2011. These include community relations, medical and dental and engineering civic actions in host communities.

The US Navy will be sending three of its naval ships for the joint military exercise: the USS Chung Hoon, USS Howard and USNS Safeguard. (6CRGAFP/RVC-PIA9 BaSulTa)

pia.gov.ph

Asian war feared over Spratlys row

By Redempto Anda

Philippine Daily Inquirer, Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Puerto Princesa—Longtime allies the Philippines and the United States launched naval exercises on Tuesday amid warnings that growing incidents at sea involving China could lead to war in Asia.

Two state-of-the-art US missile destroyers sailed into Philippine waters to kick-start the 11 days of training, being held in the wake of regional tensions caused by territorial rivalries in the West Philippine (South China) Sea.

The exercises, called Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Carat), will actually take place in the Sulu Sea.

Both the Philippines and United States emphasized the training was an annual one aimed at strengthening defense ties, and not linked to the rising concern in Manila about allegedly aggressive Chinese actions in the potentially resource-rich Spratly Islands.

“Carat was planned in advance… the issue in the South China Sea started in February,” Philippine Navy vice commander Rear Adm. Orwen Corez said at the opening ceremony. “Carat has nothing to do with the issue.”

Nevertheless, the exercises were portrayed as a show of unity between the Philippines and its former colonial ruler.

‘Enduring commitment’

“The US and the Philippines are allies and that is the strongest and most enduring commitment the two nations can make,” the commander of the US 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Scott Van Buskirk, said.

“Our alliance is underpinned by a deep and abiding US interest in the freedom and security of the Republic of the Philippines.”

Buskirk stressed the exercise “has nothing to do with the Spratlys.”

He said it was the second such exercise held by the two allies “but this situation is more complex.” He did not elaborate.

Tuesday’s opening ceremony took place at a military base in Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan province, a narrow island that divides the West Philippine Sea and the Sulu Sea.

About 800 US sailors are involved, as well as the two guided missile destroyers and a salvage ship. They will join a Philippine fleet of mainly World War II-era ships.

newsinfo.inquirer.net

Nakabantay ang isang Philippine naval personnel sa missile destroyer USS Chung Hoon (DDG-93)

Photo by AFP

Abante, Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Nakabantay ang isang Philippine naval personnel sa missile destroyer USS Chung Hoon (DDG-93) na dumating sa bansa para sa US-Philippines joint naval military exercise na ‘C­ooperation Afloat Readiness Training’ (CARAT). Idadaos ang pagsasanay sa katubigan ng Puerto Princesa, Palawan, malapit sa tensyunadong Spratly Islands.

abante.com.ph

US, Philippines start joint naval drills

By Mynardo Macaraig, AFP
China Post, Wednesday, June 29, 2011

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines -- The United States pledged on Tuesday its “enduring commitment” to helping the Philippines, as the longtime allies began naval exercises amid a simmering maritime row with China.

Two state-of-the-art U.S. missile destroyers sailed into Philippine waters to kick-start the 11 days of training, which will take place close to the much-coveted South China Sea that is the focus of the regional tensions.

Both sides emphasized the event was an annual one aimed at deepening defense ties, and not linked to the rising concern in Manila about allegedly aggressive Chinese actions in the strategic and potentially resource-rich South China Sea.

“The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) operation was planned in advance ... the issue in the South China Sea started in February,” Philippine Navy vice-commander Rear Admiral Orwen Cortez said at an opening ceremony for the event, referring to it by its acronym.

“CARAT has nothing to do with the issue.”

Nevertheless, the exercises were portrayed as a show of unity between the Philippines and its former colonial ruler.

“The U.S. and the Philippines are allies and that is the strongest and most enduring commitment the two nations can make,” the commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Admiral Scott Van Buskirk, said at the opening ceremony.

“Our alliance is underpinned by a deep and abiding U.S. interest in the freedom and security of the Republic of the Philippines.”

Philippine President Benigno Aquino this month called for U.S. help in containing China's South China Sea ambitions, saying his country was too weak to stand up to the Chinese alone.

Aquino made his plea to the United States after accusing China of inciting at least seven recent incidents in the disputed waters, including one in which a Chinese vessel allegedly opened fire on Filipino fishermen.

Aquino also accused China of breaking international law by entering the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile economic exclusion zone.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last week offered the Philippines' some comfort, pledging that the superpower would help to modernize the cash-strapped Philippine military.

“We are determined and committed to supporting the defense of the Philippines,” vowed Clinton.

China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan have overlapping claims to parts of the South China Sea, which is believed to have vast oil and gas deposits, while its shipping lanes are vital for global trade.

Vietnam as well as the Philippines have in recent months accused China of taking increasingly aggressive actions in staking its claim to the disputed waters and its archipelagos.

In response, China has insisted it wants to resolve the territorial dispute peacefully but remained firm in its claims to most of the South China Sea, even waters within the Philippines' economic exclusion zone.

Tuesday's opening ceremony for the naval exercises took place at a military base in Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan, a narrow island that divides the South China Sea to the west and the Sulu Sea in the east.

The exercises will take place in the Sulu Sea.

About 800 U.S. sailors will be involved, as well as the two guided missile destroyers and a salvage ship. They will join a Philippine fleet of mainly World War II-era ships.

chinapost.com.tw

PH Navy pilots board US warship for training

By Abigail Kwok
Interaksyon, Wednesday, June 29, 2011

PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan -- Philippine Navy pilots boarded early on Wednesday morning a US warship docked off Sulu Sea, for training by American pilots in a joint exercise that entered its second day and is seen as heightening tensions arising from China’s warning to the United States to refrain from taking sides among claimants in the South China Sea, which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea.

US pilots on the USS Howard were very pleased with how Philippine soldiers performed during the exercise.

"They're very eager, very knowledgeable," said Lt. Commander Ron Martin, one of the US pilots.

The USS Howard is one of the three United States Navy warships docked here for the 11-day joint naval exercises with the Philippine Navy off Sulu Sea. Packed with anti-sub and anti-air capabilities, the USS Howard is definitely a force to reckon with, a stark contrast to the ageing naval warships of the Philippines.

Several journalists got a chance to tour the USS Howard, named after Medal of Honor awardee Gunnery Sergeant Jimmie Howard.

The US destroyer is the 33rd Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the US Navy. It was commissioned only last October 20, 2001 and is docked in San Diego, California. The ship has over 200 crew members, including a few of Filipino descent.

The SH-60 Seahawk

On the flight deck of the US destroyer are two SH-60 Seahawk helicopters with anti-submarine capabilities. These can detect foreign submarines in the ocean through sound waves and acoustics and, once detected, they relay this information to the headquarters.

"Each submarine of each country has its own unique sound wave and we are able to detect that," Martin said.

The helicopters only have the ability to detect and not to destroy. Towards the tail of the helicopter, a magnetic detecting system is attached and can be unlatched up to 180 feet, which is mainly used to detect submarines. While these helicopters do not have an air defense capability, they have a built-in infrared system, self-defense maneuver system, and flair.

The USS Howard also has an Mk-45 5"/62 caliber lightweight gun, two Mk-41 VLS for Standard missiles and Tomahawk missiles, two 20mm Phalanx CIWS, two Mk-32 triple torpedo tubes for Mk-50 and Mk-46 torpedoes.

Philippines needs bulking up

The USS Howard is just one of the many US warships, something which the Philippines' own military sorely lacks. But while equipment and armament are definitely major issues to be addressed, the Philippine Navy believes it can make up for this through training and information sharing.

"It is our humble submission that ours is a military establishment that does not measure its vitality and its strength in terms of arms alone. Whatever deficiencies we may have in our equipment and supplies, it is our sheer resolve that we shall make up for such deficiencies through training," said Commodore Edgardo Tamayo of the Naval Forces West during the opening ceremonies of the joint naval exercises, called CARAT.

interaksyon.net

US, Philippine navies kick off 11-day joint exercise

By Xinhua

Philippine Star, Tuesday, June 28, 2011

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Navies from the United States and the Philippines kicked off an 11-day joint exercise this afternoon in waters off the southwestern Philippine island province of Palawan, showcasing the ties and interoperability between the two allies.

Dubbed the 17th "Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training" (CARAT), the exercise was held in the Sulu Sea east of Palawan and is expected to wind up on July 8, both navies said.

Guided missile destroyers USS Chung-Hoon, USS Howard and the diving and salvage ship USNS Safeguard are the US Navy's centerpieces for the exercise, US navy said earlier in a statement, adding that in addition to the three ships, other participants include P-3C Orion aircraft, SH-60 Seahawk aircraft, US Navy Seabees, a US Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team, US Navy Mobile Security Squadron, US Navy Riverine Forces and Medical Support personnel.

On the Philippine side, patrol ships BRP Pangasinan and BRP Rizal are dedicated for the exercise, according to Lt. Noel Cadigal, spokesman of the Philippines' Naval Forces West.

The at-sea phase of the exercise focuses on developing maritime security capabilities in areas such as maritime interdiction, information sharing, combined operations at sea, patrol operations, gunnery exercises, as well as anti-piracy and anti-smuggling exercises.

Ashore training includes such specialties as Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) exercises; diver training; salvage operations; joint medical, dental and civic action projects, aircrew familiarization exchanges, etc.

"The main purpose of the activity is to strengthen the ties and cooperation between the two navies by the exchange of knowledge and skills in the field of navigation and naval operations, particularly maritime defense, port security, resource protection and disaster response," said Philippine Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay, noting the exercise is among the bilateral trainings conducted under the auspices of the Mutual Defense Treaty, which was signed between the Philippines and the United States in 1951.

In a statement issued prior to the exercise, New Patriotic Alliance, known as Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Filipino, said the fact that the joint naval exercise will be between modern US warships and ageing Philippine patrol ships shows the entire concept of US military assistance is a failure.

However, the exercise and the Mutual Defense Treaty were bombarded by a left-wing group in the Philippines.

"After 60 years of the Mutual Defense Treaty, several decades of US military bases and 12 years of the Visiting Forces Agreement, our AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) has not modernized. We were promised the same in exchange for approving all these one-sided agreements and yet here is our navy, still employing World War II- era ships," said Renato Reyes, Jr., secretary general of the New Patriotic Alliance.

philstar.com

Palawan: CARAT 2 kicks off

By Fernidand F. Castro

Manila Bulletin, Tuesday, June 28, 2011

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, Philippines — The second Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), an annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Philippine and US Navies started Tuesday.

Major Neil Anthony Estrella, Western Command spokesperson said some 1,000 sailors from the United States will participate in the CARAT's ashore training and at-sea phase.

This year's exercises would be more relevant for the participating Navies and strengthen the relationship of the two countries. The seven day military exercises will end on July 4.

mb.com.ph

Philippine-US navies unite amid China tensions

By Mynardo Macaraig

Maritime Security Asia, Tuesday, June 28, 2011

PUERTO PRINCESA, June 28, 2011 (AFP) – The Philippines and the United States will launch naval exercises on Tuesday close to the South China Sea, which is the focus of a simmering regional territorial row.

The longtime allies have emphasised the event is an annual one aimed at deepening defence ties, and not linked to rising concern in Manila about allegedly aggressive Chinese actions in the much coveted seas.

“The US and Philippine navies have a long history of working together, and exercises like (these) provide a great venue for us to hone our skills,” said the US commander for the 11-day exercises, Captain David Welch.

Nevertheless the exercises are being seen in Manila as a timely show of unity between the Philippines and its former colonial ruler.

Two state-of-the-art US missile destroyers, along with the host’s World War II-era warships, will patrol the Philippine waters of the Sulu Sea.

The Sulu Sea is separated from the South China Sea only by the narrow Philippine island of Palawan.

China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan have overlapping claims to parts of the South China Sea, which is believed to have vast oil and gas deposits, while its shipping lanes are vital for global trade.

Vietnam as well as the Philippines have in recent months accused China of taking increasingly aggressive actions in staking its claim to the disputed waters and its archipelagos.

In response, China has insisted it wants to resolve the territorial dispute peacefully but remained firm in its claims to most of the South China Sea, even waters within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile economic exclusion zone.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino this month called for US help in containing China’s South China Sea ambitions, saying his country was too weak to stand up to the Chinese alone.

Aquino made his plea after accusing China of inciting at least seven recent incidents in the disputed waters, including one in which a Chinese vessel allegedly opened fire on Filipino fishermen.

Aquino also accused China of breaking international law by entering the Philippines’ economic exclusion zone.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last week offered the Philippines some comfort, pledging that the superpower ally would help to modernise the cash-strapped Philippine military.

“We are determined and committed to supporting the defence of the Philippines,” Clinton said.

No specifics were immediately announced but Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario later said the US government had vowed to boost the Philippines’ intelligence capabilities in the South China Sea.

The Philippine-US exercises, called Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), officially begin at 3:00pm (0700 GMT) on Tuesday with an opening ceremony on Palawan island.

The first of the US vessels, the USS Chung-Hoon arrived at a pier in Palawan’s capital, Puerto Princesa, on Tuesday morning, greeted by a Philippine Navy band playing marching tunes.

US sailors in dress uniforms stood to attention as their vessel was guided into place by tugboats. The second destroyer, the USS Howard, will arrive later in the day said Lieutenant Commander Mike Morley, spokesman of the US forces.

About 800 US sailors and 450 Philippine seamen will be involved in the exercises.

The United States is scheduled to stage similar exercises with Vietnam next month, although it has insisted they too are unrelated to the South China Sea tensions.

maritimesecurity.asia

3 US Navy ships to join PHL-US war games in Palawan

GMAnews, Monday,July 27, 2011

Three United States Navy ships are expected to take part in this year's Philippine-US "Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training" (CARAT) bilateral exercises in Palawan.

A report by radio dzBB's Palawan affiliate Monday said the three ships will be the counterparts of Philippine vessels taking part in the exercise, which starts Tuesday.The same radio report by radio dzBB's James Viernes said the ships have arrived in Palawan.But Lt. Noel Cadigal, spokesperson for the Naval Forces West, said the US vessels — guided missile destroyers USS Chung Hoon and USS Howard and USNS Safeguard, a diving and salvage ship — will be arriving Tuesday morning.Cadigal identified the two participating Philippine Navy ships as BRP Pangasinan and BRP Rizal, both patrol ships. In Viernes' report, Western Command chief Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban reiterated that the bilateral exercises have nothing to do with the ongoing territorial row with China over the Spratly Islands.Sabban maintained that the CARAT exercises had been planned long ago, and should not be taken as a provocation of sorts, the dzBB report said.The Philippines and China, which had engaged in a word war of sorts following some incidents in the disputed area earlier this year, are two of six claimants to the Spratlys. The other claimants include Brunei, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Malaysia.Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy said its Naval Forces West and the US Pacific Fleet are all set for the CARAT 2011."The activity is part of the RP-US Defense Treaty of 1951 and is being executed every year," the Navy said in a news release posted on its website.It said the main purpose of the activity is to strengthen the ties and cooperation between the two Navies by the exchange of knowledge and skills in the field of navigation and naval operations, particularly maritime defense, port security, resource protection and disaster response.

gmanews.tv

Phl, US set maritime exercise in Palawan

Philippine Star, Monday, June 27, 2011

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines – Philippine and United States Navy will start tomorrow the annual bilateral maritime exercise here, the state media said today.

Dubbed as Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), the joint military exercise will be conducted at the height of the tension between the Philippines and China over the Spratlys row.

In an interview, Major Neil Anthony Estrella, spokesperson for the Western Command, said about 1,000 US sailors are expected to participate in the ashore and at-sea phases of the CARAT.

He also said that this year’s exercise promises to be meaningful and relevant for the two navies, and will further strengthen the relationship of the two countries.

He said two destroyer and one salvage ships are to be used by the United States Navy as their centerpieces for the exercise. The Philippines will utilize all the patrol ships deployed under the Naval Forces West.

Apart from the military exercise, there will also be symposia on search and rescue practices and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the United States Navy and the Naval Forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The exercise in Puerto Princesa City will end on July 4th.

philstar.com

US, Philippines to hold joint navy exercise

By Bong Garcia

Sun Star, Sunday, June 26, 2011

ALL is set for the holding of the 11-day joint Philippines and United States Navy exercise, a top Philippine Navy official announced Sunday.

The bilateral exercise dubbed as Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Carat) 2011 will be held from June 28 until July 8, in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan and along the Sulu Sea.

The participants are the Naval Forces West (NFW) of the Philippine Navy (PN) based in Palawan and the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy (USN).

NFW chief Commodore Edgardo Tamayo said the 11-day joint naval exercise is part of the Philippines-US Defense Treaty of 1951 that is being executed every year.

Tamayo said the main purpose of the activity is to strengthen the ties between the two Navies through exchanges of knowledge and skills in the field of navigation and naval operations, particularly maritime defense, port security, resource protection and disaster response.

Highlights of Carat 2011 are the personnel exchange between the two ships for the effective commutation of information between the PN and USN; friendship games; and PN-hosted and USN-hosted reception dinners to further strengthen the relationship between the two parties involved.

Civil Military Operations are also scheduled to reach out to the residents of Palawan, particularly Medical and Dental Civic Action at Barangay Tagabinet; Engineering Civic Action at Barangay Mangingisda Elementary School; and Community Relation Activity at Tagburos Elementary School and Gregorio Oquendo Memorial Elementary School.

Tamayo said that a community service and public affairs activity is also set in the form of free music lessons at Palawan State University Laboratory High School and Palawan National School.

To cap off the activity, Tamayo said the Philippine Marine Corps and the US 7th Fleet Band will hold a free band concert at the Puerto Princesa City Amphitheatre and at the NCCC Mall.

Tamayo said that members of the US Navy are also scheduled to visit the Puerto Princesa Underground River, the city’s biggest and most popular tourist destination.

“This is an opportunity for the Naval Forces West, the city of Puerto Princesa and the province of Palawan to showcase its beauty and its natural resources,” Tamayo said.

“The exercise will certainly prove its worth as all aspects of naval operations are being integrated as the two navies further their interoperability,” he added.

Tamayo added that he is confident that Carat Exercise 2011 in Puerto Princesa City will be a success.

sunstar.com.ph