Bangladesh, US navies begin fifth CARAT exercise in Ctg

The navies of Bangladesh and the United States began a five-day joint exercise in Chittagong yesterday aiming at improving bilateral relationship to encounter maritime challenges like terrorism, narcoterrorism and human trafficking and to jointly operate during natural disasters.

This is the fifth consecutive annual exercise series titled "Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh Exercise 2015", which includes the US Navy, US Marine Corps and the armed forces of nine partner countries in South and Southeast Asia. The exercise began through a ceremony at the School of Maritime Warfare and Tactics in Chittagong Naval area. It has two phases -- five-day shore phase that will continue till Sunday, and three-day sea phase till tomorrow.

The major participating US units include USNS Safeguard, Organic Helicopter MH-60R, USN Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) P-3C and Special Forces Units, said Navy officials.