Singaporean Ship Scores Direct Hit During CARAT Exercise

By Public Affairs Specialist 3rd Class Angela Henderson, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander Task Force 73 Public Affairs
As part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2008, elements of the U.S. and Republic of Singapore (RSN) Navy perform a joint precision maneuvering exercise, led by an RSN submarine. CARAT is an annual series of bilateral military training exercises between the United States and several Southeast Asian nations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Dan Meaney

RSS Endeavour (209) successfully struck down a drone missile during a training exercise as part of the Singapore phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) June 26.

The Singaporean landing ship tank fired a surface-to-air missile at a BQM 74 EI drone deployed from the flight deck of USS Tortuga (LSD 46).

Rear Adm. Ng Chee Peng, fleet commander of the Republic of Singapore Navy, explained this exercise was a key highlight of CARAT 2008's Singapore phase.

U.S. Navy Commander Fleet Activities Okinawa (CFAO) personnel aboard Tortuga launched the seven-foot drone 40,000 feet into the air to simulate a small plane attack on Endeavour. The CFAO CARAT detachment provides targets for the various gunnery exercises for all the at-sea phases of CARAT.

Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Michael Clossin noted that the drone was a successful target because CFAO personnel simply did what they are trained to do.

"Whether they are firing guns or missiles, our job is to help ensure all ships involved in CARAT have good targets to improve their skills," Clossin said.

CARAT is an annual series of bilateral military training exercises between the United States and Southeast Asian nations.

A drone is launched from the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) for a scheduled missile exercise of the Singapore phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2008. The drone was shot down with a missile launched from the Republic of Singapore ship RSS Endeavour. CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the United States and six Southeast Asian nations designed to build relationships and enhance the operational readiness of the participating forces. U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. James Ridgway