| Aziz Idris |
THE United States Navy (USN)’s expeditionary fast transport ship, USNS Fall River (T-EPF-4), has arrived in Brunei waters as part of the 24th Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) bilateral military exercises with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).
Prior to the exercise, the United States Embassy in Brunei Darussalam invited local media representatives for an exclusive tour on board the USNS Fall River at Muara Commercial Port yesterday.
Captain of the USNS Fall River Captain Charles Black welcomed the media delegates. Also present were Destroyer Squadron 7, Public Affairs Officer Lieutenant Clyde Shaver and embassy officials.
During the tour, Captain Charles Black briefed the media on the ship’s capabilities as well as the unique design that contribute to her manoeuvrability in the waters during missions.
The ship is 337-foot-long and built almost entirely out of aluminium, with a catamaran design for speed and agility even in shallow waters, making it an ideal vessel for transporting troops and equipment required in a given area.
“Her aluminium surfaces, including the hull, are left unpainted to save weight,” said Captain Charles Black, adding that the ship can travel at speed of 43 knots. He also brought the media delegates inside an area that looked like an auditorium, which he called “the 312 room” for the number of seats for the Marines, with bunks for about 100 to sleep in shifts, with their mess hall and lockers for their equipment and weapons.
Occupying some 20,000 square feet, the convertible Mission Bay area can be loaded to carry multiple tasks, either for military or civilian contingencies such as non-combatant evacuation operations or humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.
On the upper deck is the helicopter pad capable of accommodating two helicopters, including one that can be medium folded in the helo parking area, while the other one is placed on the deck.
The bridge is equipped with up-to-the minute electronic navigational and helm system, where crew members can monitor the entire vessel and surrounding water areas.
CARAT Exercise 2018 aims to enhance cooperation, build friendship and strengthen professional skills amongst the forces, units and other agencies involved. This year’s exercise will place emphasis on Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) in response to the changing security landscape of the international community, changing the focus of navies towards a more constabulary role.
During the exercise, personnel and assets from the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) will be involved along with other units and departments of the RBAF and the USN. RBN involvement includes the participation of KDB Darulaman, KDB Berkat and Naval Surface Action Group (NAVSAG).
This year’s exercise comprises three main phases – the harbour, sea and the post-exercise phases – which began yesterday.