Most activities of Phil-US Navy forces training exercise in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu will host most of the activities of the annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Exercise between the Philippine Navy and the United States Navy, which will take place on May 21 to 28.

CARAT, a bilateral exercise meant to strengthen cooperation between the two navy forces, is aimed at preventing intercontinental and trans-border crimes, piracy and maritime terrorism, as well as building regional assistance capacity for multinational maritime operations.

It is also designed to increase U.S. sailors’ understanding of Southeast Asian cultures in the event they are called to work together in real-world operations.

ENS Judyline Canoneo, public affairs officer of the Naval Forces Central, said most of the activities will take place in Cebu at the Naval operating base in Lapu-Lapu city but the opening ceremonies would take place on board the USS Harpers Ferry LSD-49, which will dock at the Cebu International Port.

Included in this year’s exercise are on-deck and at-sea trainings, naval tactical exercise, gunnery exercise, and patrol and surveillance exercises.

The two Navy forces will participate in symposia on military operations and law and a subject matter expert exchange, as well as a joint amphibious landing of the fleet-marine forces of both the Philippine Navy and the US Navy. 

Likewise, participants of the exercise will engage in community service like tree planting, free haircut, and would donate books and sports materials to certain beneficiaries. They will also render medical and dental services barangay Bang-Bang in Cordova, barangay Ibo in Lapu-Lapu, barangay Poblacion in Argao, and barangay Nangka in Balamban.

The Looc National High School in Lapu-Lapu City will be the beneficiary of a classroom, which the participants will build themselves.

Canoneo explained they chose Looc National High School because the school does not have enough classrooms for its more than 500 students.

A special performance of the US Navy band together with the 53rd engineering brigade of the Philippine Navy can also be expected during the exercise. — AJ de la Torre/JMO (THE FREEMAN)