221024-N-FO714-1054

MUARA, Brunei (Oct. 24, 2022) Capt. Walter Mainor, Commander, Task Force 71, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Thomas M. Siverts, commanding officer, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Command Element, and Royal Brunei Armed Forces Lt. Col. Aldi bin Haji Hassan, acting deputy joint force commander, have a discussion during a reception after the opening ceremony for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Brunei, Oct. 24. CARAT Brunei 2022 highlights the 28th anniversary of CARAT among allies and partners as a way to demonstrate long-term commitment to strengthening relationships throughout South and Southeast Asia and to highlight U.S. Navy commitment to key Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) partners to reinforce ASEAN centrality. Exercises like this one reassure our allies and partners of the U.S. commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Deanna C. Gonzales)