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U.S. Navy Capt. Michael Messenger, deputy commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7, gives opening remarks at the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Sri Lanka 2026 opening ceremony in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, July 27, 2026. This year marks the 32nd iteration of CARAT, a multinational exercise series designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies' abilities to operate together in response to shared maritime security challenges in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communications Specialist Mike Wright)