20th iteration of CARAT to formally start on June 26

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 24): 20th iteration of CARAT to formally start on June 26

CARAT 2014 (Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training) will formally start on June 26 at Subic Bay, Zambales.

Since its inception in 1995, CARAT 2014 will be the 20th edition of the annual bilateral maritime training which aims to strengthen Philippine Navy/Philippine Marine Corps and USN/US Marine Corps combined capabilities in amphibious operations, special operations and surface warfare; enhance information sharing; and to promote relationship and goodwill, Philippine Fleet spokesperson Lt. (JG) Rommel Rodriquez said on Tuesday.

As this develops, the USS Halsey (DDG-97), one of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers which will be participating in CARAT 2014, might be replaced.

This was disclosed by Rodriquez in a text message to the Philippines News Agency.

The ship might be replaced by the USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), Rodriguez said.

"The USS McCain (replacement) is still for confirmation," he added.

Rodriquez stated that his American counterparts did not reveal the US Navy's reasons for replacing the USS Halsey.

The latter was earlier announced to be one of the four American naval vessels which will participate in CARAT 2014.

CARAT refers to "Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training" between the Philippine and US navies. It is slated for June 26 to July 1.

The US naval contingent for CARAT 2014 includes the USS Ashland (LSD-48), a Whidbey Island-class docking landing ship, USS Safeguard (ARS-50), a Safeguard-class rescue vessel, Sikorsky SH-60 "Seahawk" helicopters, two landing craft air cushion, underwater demolition teams, Seabees, a mobile diving salvage unit, explosive ordnance division unit, and company-sized amphibious assault vehicles.

On the other hand, the Filipino contingent to CARAT 2014 consists of the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35), two AgustaWestland AW-109E helicopters, a Norman Britten Islander aircraft, one Naval Special Operations Group explosive ordnance unit, three diving teams, two special boat teams, two Marine companies, communication team, band, logistic and Seabees units.

US Navy participants to CARAT 2014 will arrive by June 26 in Subic Bay, Zambales.

Arleigh Burke destroyers are armed with Mark 45 Model 5-inch caliber which is capable of engaging any air and surface targets with a high rate of fire (around 120 rounds per minute), ensuring of its neutralization.

It is also fitted with a 20mm Phalanx CIWS (closed-in weapon system) which is capable of firing 4,500 rounds per minute, literally creating a cloud of lead impossible for any missile, rocket and aircraft to penetrate.

This weapon is located in the ship's stern.

CIWS acts as the ship's last line of defense against threats emanating from the air.

It operates independently from the ship's other weapon systems.

Other armaments of the Arleigh Burke class destroyers are two Mark 41 VLS (vertical launching systems) which are capable of firing a mixture of Standard and Tomahawk missiles, anti-submarine rockets and the evolved Sea Sparrow missile.

The two Mark 41 VLS are equivalent to 96 cells (firing tubes).

Adding more punch to the ship is a two MH-60R Seahawk LAMPS III which is capable of detecting and destroying submarines.

These aircraft use sonobouys to locate submarine threats and once determined hostile, it can sink at will using its Mark 46 anti-submarine torpedoes.

The MH-60s has a loiter time of three hours and is capable of conducting aerial and rescue missions.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=656396