USS Fitzgerald docks at Subic Bay, to participate in CARAT 2013

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 26): USS Fitzgerald docks at Subic Bay, to participate in CARAT 2013

The US Embassy in Manila announced that the USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62), a guided-missile destroyer, will arrive in Subic Bay, Zambales on Thursday to participate in this year's "combined afloat readiness and training exercise" (CARAT 2013).

The ship’s visit and CARAT highlight the strong historic community and military relations between the Philippines and the US.

Through exercises near Subic Bay, the 19th CARAT is a series of bilateral naval exercises between the US Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

CARAT Philippines began in 1995, and has since occurred in several locations throughout the Philippines, including Cebu (2009), Subic Bay (2010), Puerto Princesa (2011) and most recently General Santos City in Mindanao (2012).

Training events in each CARAT phase are tailored based on available assets and mutual training goals across a broad range of naval capabilities.

CARAT Philippines 2013 will focus on maritime security operations, maritime domain awareness and information sharing.

The exercise will also feature extensive training in diving and salvage operations, jungle warfare and marksmanship, tactical combat casualty care, civil affairs, riverine and boarding team scenarios, sporting events, community service projects and public band concerts.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=538259