(Bandar Seri Begawan, 6th) The staff of the commanders of the US Seventh Fleet's Destroyer Squadrons Task Force 72, 73, 75, and 76 (CTF), together with representatives from the US Embassy in Brunei and representatives of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, jointly held the Final Planning Conference (FPC) for the 'Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training' (CARAT) Brunei 2026 on July 1.
On the eve of the CARAT Brunei 2026 exercise, military personnel from both sides and embassy representatives gathered at the Radisson Hotel in Brunei to jointly plan the exercise content, explore regional security cooperation, and coordinate training arrangements in order to address common maritime security challenges. This meeting highlights the increasingly close bilateral relationship between Brunei and the United States, with the two countries soon to officially elevate their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership.
US Navy Commander Burt Bratton stated, 'Although each CARAT exercise is adjusted and changed according to maritime environmental needs, our close partnership with Brunei continues to strengthen.'
He said, 'Last year, we carried out a series of highly effective collaborations and successfully achieved the integration of both our forces. I hope this year, we can further deepen military cooperation on this basis.'
The 'CARAT' series of exercises aims to promote regional security cooperation through maritime exercises, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance the interoperability of participating forces.
As the forward-deployed destroyer squadron in Southeast Asia for the US Navy, the 7th Destroyer Squadron is the main tactical and operational commander for ships deployed to the Southeast Asian operational area.
The US Seventh Fleet is the US Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, frequently interacting and operating with allies and partners to jointly maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
On the eve of the CARAT Brunei 2026 exercise, military personnel from both sides and embassy representatives gathered at the Radisson Hotel in Brunei to jointly plan the exercise content, explore regional security cooperation, and coordinate training arrangements in order to address common maritime security challenges. This meeting highlights the increasingly close bilateral relationship between Brunei and the United States, with the two countries soon to officially elevate their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership.
He said, 'Last year, we carried out a series of highly effective collaborations and successfully achieved the integration of both our forces. I hope this year, we can further deepen military cooperation on this basis.'
The 'CARAT' series of exercises aims to promote regional security cooperation through maritime exercises, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance the interoperability of participating forces.
As the forward-deployed destroyer squadron in Southeast Asia for the US Navy, the 7th Destroyer Squadron is the main tactical and operational commander for ships deployed to the Southeast Asian operational area.
The US Seventh Fleet is the US Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, frequently interacting and operating with allies and partners to jointly maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region.