BOLKIAH GARRISON, Thursday, 23 October 2025 – The opening ceremony for the 31st Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2025 (CARAT 31/2025) bilateral exercise between the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and the United States Navy (USN) was held at Wira Seni Concert Hall, RBAF Band Building, Bolkiah Garrison. The CARAT 31/2025 Exercise will take place over eight days from 23rd to 30th October 2025.
The ceremony commenced with opening remarks by the Chief of Staff Joint Force RBAF, Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Suwardi Ariffin bin Pehin Datu Laksamana Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Latiff, followed by Captain Matthew Cox, Deputy Commodore, Commander Destroyer Seven (CDS 7). Both conveyed their appreciation for the close relationship shared between the two armed forces and reaffirmed their dedication to further strengthening bilateral defence cooperation through joint trainings and exercises.
Also in attendance to witness the ceremony was Her Excellency Ambassador Caryn R. McClelland, the US Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, and Commander Bert Bratton, US Defence Attache to Brunei as well as exercise participants from both armed forces.
This year, CARAT 31/2025 Exercise is set to showcase a comprehensive series of activities at sea, in the air and on land. Planned events include Subject Matter Expert Exchange programs such as Engineering, Medical Exchanges, Legal Symposium, Maritime Domain Awareness, Cyber and Communications Training, Force Protection Training, Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Port Security Exchanges, Media Relations Exchanges, and Staff Exercise. In addition, the exercise will feature the deployment of the P-8 maritime patrol aircraft to Brunei Darussalam. A community relations initiative is also scheduled to be held at Paraphlegic and Physically Handicapped Association, as well as a public performance at One City Shopping Centre, Brunei Muara District.
The annual CARAT exercise aims to enhance interoperability, professionalism, and proficiency for both militaries and other participating agencies while improving collaboration to address both traditional and non-traditional security challenges.
BOLKIAH GARISON, Khamis, 23 Oktober 2025 – Majlis pembukaan eksesais dua hala Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training kali ke-31 bagi tahun 2025 (CARAT 31/2025) di antara Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB) dan Tentera Laut Amerika Syarikat (TLAS) telah diadakan di Dewan Konsert Wira Seni, Bangunan Pancaragam ABDB, Bolkiah Garison. Eksesais CARAT 31/2025 ini akan dijalankan selama lapan hari bermula dari 23 hingga 30 Oktober 2025.
Majlis tersebut dimulakan dengan ucapan alu-aluan oleh Ketua Staf Angkatan Bersama ABDB, Leftenan Kolonel Muhammad Suwardi Ariffin bin Pehin Datu Laksamana Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Latiff, diikuti dengan Captain Matthew Cox, Deputy Commodore, Commander Destroyer Seven (CDS 7). Kedua-duanya menyampaikan penghargaan atas hubungan erat yang terjalin antara kedua-dua angkatan tentera dan menekankan komitmen untuk terus memperkukuh kerjasama pertahanan dua hala melalui latihan dan eksesais bersama.
Turut hadir menyaksikan majlis tersebut adalah Puan Yang Terutama Caryn R. McClelland, Duta Amerika Syarikat (AS) di Negara Brunei Darussalam (NBD) dan Komander Bert Bratton, Penasihat Pertahanan AS ke NBD bersama para peserta dari kedua-dua angkatan tentera.
Eksesais CARAT 31/2025 pada tahun ini akan merangkumi pelbagai aktiviti-aktiviti di laut, udara dan darat. Antara acara yang dirancang termasuk program Pertukaran Pakar Subjek seperti Pertukaran Kejuruteraan, Perubatan, Simposium Undang-Undang, Maritime Domain Awareness, Latihan Siber dan Komunikasi, Latihan Force Protection, Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Port Security, Pertukaran Perhubungan Media dan Staff Exercise. Selain itu, inisiatif komuniti masyarakat juga akan diadakan di Persatuan Orang-Orang Cacat Berkerusi Roda dan Orang-Orang Cacat Anggota. Sebagai tambahan, eksesais ini turut menampilkan pesawat rondaan maritim P-8 ke NBD. Persembahan awam juga dijadualkan berlangsung di Kompleks Membeli-belah One City, Daerah Brunei Muara.
Eksesais CARAT yang dilaksanakan secara tahunan ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan interoperabiliti, profesionalisme dan kecekapan kedua-dua angkatan tentera dan agensi-agensi yang mengambil bahagian serta meningkatkan kerjasama dalam memberikan tindak balas dalam menangani cabaran keselamatan tradisional dan bukan tradisional.
