Only the most modern and up-to-date Philippine Navy (PN) ships and aircraft are participating in this year's CARAT exercises which is now ongoing off the Zambales coast.
CARAT refers to "Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training".
Lt. (JG) Rommel Rodriquez, Philippine Fleet spokesperson, said the Filipino contingent in the five-day naval maneuvers are the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) which was acquired in May 22, 2012 and commissioned in Nov. 22 of last year, BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS-35), which was acquired and commissioned in August 1997 and two AgustaWestland AW-109E "Power" helicopters which were commissioned into PN service last Dec. 20.
Both Filipino ships are also armed with the Oto Melara 76mmm automatic cannon which is considered one of the best weapons of its class as it can engage both surface and air targets within a range of 20 nautical miles.
He added that it will the first time that these modern fleet assets will be working together in a joint naval exercise with foreign naval ships.
Aside from these, one 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 will be participating in CARAT 2014.
The American contingent for CARAT 2014 consists of the USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), the USS Ashland (LSD-48), a Whidbey Island-class docking landing ship, USS Safeguard (ARS-50), a Safeguard-class rescue vessel, are the other three American ships present in the activity.
Also in tow are two landing craft air cushion, underwater demolition teams, Seabees, a mobile diving salvage unit, explosive ordnance division unit, and company sized amphibious assault vehicles.
CARAT 2014 officially started during simple ceremonies aboard the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, which was docked off
"There will be classroom-style discussions on safety, maritime defense awareness, flight operations, EOD training, and 'cold form' amphibious operations planning," Rodriquez added.
On June 27, the second day of the training, discussions and training on side-scan sonar will take place.
Side-scan sonar is use for hydrographic surveys and on June 29, both US and Philippine participants will conduct their maritime surveillance exercises.
Rodriquez stated that on June 29, a gunnery exercise will take place 39 nautical miles southwest off Sampaloc Point, which is located on the lower tip of Zambales.
All surface ship assets participating in CARAT 2014 will participate in this activity, he added.
"(Aside from this), we'll also conduct maritime interdiction operations, visit board-search-and-seizure exercises at sea, all will be within the (above-mentioned) area, riverine (exercises) and diving and communication exercises will take place on June 28 and 29," Rodriquez stressed.
The Philippine Fleet spokesperson also clarified that CARAT 2014 has nothing to do with the ongoing maritime dispute with
"This is purely training, a purely maritime training activity that is conducted annually. It has no connection with the current dispute (issue on territorial claims). Just to emphasize that both our Navies have conducted CARAT activities in different areas in the
Rodriquez also stressed that
"This has nothing to do with Philippine-China dispute or the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea, this is a regular training activity that we are conducting every year, even before this recent territorial issues, we have been conducting this (for a long time)," he concluded.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=657489
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