OCTOBER 30, 2025 – The U.S. Navy and Royal Brunei Armed Forces completed the 31st iteration of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Brunei, Oct. 30, after five days of shore-based engagements in Bandar Seri Begawan and two days of sea-phase exercises in the South China Sea.
CARAT Brunei is a bilateral exercise designed to enhance U.S.-Bruneian interoperability to deter and defeat traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges, which threaten the stability of the Indo-Pacific region.
“Over the last week our two teams have seen monumental developments in tactical knowledge, interoperability, and the lasting friendship between the United States Navy and Royal Brunei Armed Forces,” said Capt. Matthew Cox, deputy commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7. “Our commitment to defending stability in the region is built on the foundation of the strong relationship we have with our partners here, and we look forward to operating with the you for years to come.”
The five days of shore phase events included subject matter expert exchanges in communications, medical, legal, explosive ordnance disposal, music, diving and salvage, and visit, board, search and seizure operations (VBSS).
Personnel from Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia hosted a staff integration exercise to simulate joint force integration scenarios.
Sailors from Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Cincinnati (LCS 20) participated in community relations engagements at Yayasan Kanser Kanak, a children’s cancer foundation; the Sejahtera Animal Shelter; and the Brunei Darussalam Paraplegic and Physically Disabled Association: Wheelchair Repair Facility/Disabled Training Center.
Both partner forces also hosted a sports day, where service members fostered people-to-people relationships that are foundational to a professional partnership.
At sea, Cincinnati operated alongside a Royal Brunei Armed Forces offshore patrol vessel, a P-8A Poseidon from Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72, and a U.S. Coast Guard VBSS team for a series of underway exercises. The two forces sailed in formation and conducted VBSS drills, air defense exercises, division tactics and live-fire gunnery exercises.
As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed DESRON in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 remains committed to building partnerships and promoting maritime security throughout the region.
7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Story by Lt.j.g. Camillia Nguyen
Command Destroyer Squadron 7