MQ-8B fire scout unmanned autonomous helicopter (Photo: aviationanalysis)Hanoi(VNA) – The US and Brunei navies have recently concluded a 10-day maritimetraining exercise at Brunei’s Muara Naval Base.
In a statement atthe conclusion of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, or CARAT, RearAdmiral Joey Tynch, Commander of the US’s Logistics Group Western Pacific, saidit is a demonstration of shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
During the 10 daysof exercises in the area, the littoral combat ship USS Montgomery and fasttransport USNS Millinocket were joined by the Brunei Royal Navy’s offshorepatrol vessel KDB Darulaman and inshore patrol vessel KDB Syafaat.
The trainingincluded tracking exercises, deck landing qualifications and medical evacuationsimulations, divisional tactics and replenishment at sea, according to thestatement.
Additionally, theexercise this year included an aviation component, with a focus on jointtraining and search and rescue. A Navy P-8A Poseidon took part, along withBrunei military helicopters, according to the statement.
For the first time,the US deployed the MQ-8B fire scout unmanned autonomoushelicopter to the event.
CARATBrunei 2019 is the fourth leg of the exercise that has already included separatetraining with Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand./.
