150622-N-YU572-046

150622-N-YU572-046 PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines (June 22, 2015) Rear Adm. William Merz, commander of Task Force 74, addresses U.S. and Republic of the Philippines military members during the opening ceremony for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines 2015. In its 21st year, CARAT is an annual, bilateral exercise series with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the armed forces of nine partner nations including, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jay C. Pugh/Released)