The Marine Exercise of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2023, commenced in Mullikulam on 21st January 2023. The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Commanding Officer SLNS Barana, Captain Sanjeewa Kodikara and Company Commander, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines of U.S. Marine Corps, Captain Shan Mandrayar.
This also marked the commencement of shore phase training of CARAT -2023, where Tactical Combat Casualty care (TCCC), Combat Life Saving CLS), Jungle Warfare, Military Operation in Urban Terrain (MOUT) & Rescue Operation training exercises were performed. The exercises were carried out by personnel of Sri Lanka Navy Marines, Special Boat Squadron, Rapid Action Boat Squadron, Naval Infantrymen, and U.S. Marine Corps.
The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps began exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)/Marine Exercise (MAREX) Sri Lanka 2023 with the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).
CARAT/MAREX Sri Lanka is a joint, bilateral maritime exercise taking place ashore in Colombo and at the SLN bases in Trincomalee and Mullikullam. The sea phase will take place in the Laccadive Sea. This year’s exercise includes participants from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Maldives National Defence Force, and coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka.
Images – Sri Lanka Navy
