Article Posted on : - Sep 26, 2011

A Bangladesh navy rigid hulled inflatable boat team trains with US Navy Sailors assigned to Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 1 during CARAT 2011. Photo: US Navy

BAY OF BENGAL (BNS): US and Bangladesh has completed the at-sea portion of the first Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise which was held in Bangladesh.

US participated with its assets like Guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100), guided-missile frigate USS Ford (FFG 54) and mine countermeasures ship USS Defender (MCM 2) while Bangladesh navy ships (BNS) Bangabandhu (F 25), BNS Bijoy (F 35) and BNS Sangu (P 713) were present in the exercise.

In the exercises, the troops were included in flashing-light signaling drills, subject matter expert exchanges, divisional tactics for ships movements, and a visit, board, search and seizure boarding of Ford by a Bangladesh navy special warfare and diving salvage team.

US and Bangladesh crew members participated in the at-sea period aboard each others' ships to increase immersion which was completed on Saturday.

CARAT Bangladesh began on September 18 and is the first dedicated naval exercise between the US and Bangladesh, and represents a milestone between the two countries.