Over 10 days of at-sea and shore-based training with the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) and Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), U.S and partner forces sharpened the combined maritime capabilities that underpin regional security cooperation. This year, the United States expanded its contribution to CARAT Thailand, demonstrating the breadth and integration of American maritime power. U.S. forces participated with a multi-mission P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft (MPRA) from Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72 and U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutters from Expeditionary Cutter Squadron, USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145) and USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141).

These units operated with an RTN surface force including the Naresuan-class frigate HTMS Taksin (FFG 422) and Chao Phraya-class frigate HTMS Saiburi (FFG 458).

“It’s been an honor to operate with our Royal Thai Navy partners for the 32nd iteration of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Thailand,” said U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Mike Ross, commodore of Expeditionary Cutter Squadron. “We were given the opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of the Coast Guard fast response cutters, which we plan to maximize to further partnerships and address shared maritime concerns.”

The at-sea phase in Sattahip and the Gulf of Thailand included complex training scenarios focused on anti-submarine warfare exercises, air defense exercises, surface action group coordination, mine countermeasures, and search and rescue training. These exercises advanced U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian, and Thai forces’ abilities to refine their tactics, techniques, and procedures in a dynamic maritime environment.

Beyond the at-sea exercises, CARAT Thailand fostered strong relationships through a variety of shore-based activities in Sattahip and Songkhla, including community service projects, sports days, and cultural exchanges. Subject matter expert exchanges and practical education sessions covered crucial topics such as maritime domain awareness, medicine, and at-sea explosive ordnance disposal, further enhancing interoperability and knowledge sharing. Additionally, the RCN expanded the scope of the exercise by providing members of a visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) team to participate in collaborative VBSS training events alongside regional partners.

CARAT Thailand is a long-standing exercise series designed to enhance U.S. and partner maritime forces’ abilities tooperatetogether in response to shared maritime challenges in the region.

As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed DESRON in Southeast Asia, DESRON-7 remains committed to building partnerships and promoting maritime security throughout the region.

U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific.