United States
Australia
United Kingdom
Europe
New Zealand
Canada
The sixth iteration of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Sri Lanka wrapped up July 31 in Trincomalee after a series of exercises and exchanges between the Sri Lanka Navy and the U.S. Navy that began July 27. The exercise, aimed at enhancing maritime interoperability, strengthening partnerships, and promoting regional security cooperation, included training ashore in Colombo and Trincomalee and at sea in the Indian Ocean.
U.S. participation featured a P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft from Commander, Task Force 72. Additional participants came from Destroyer Squadron 7, Task Force 73, Task Force 76, Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, and a U.S. Coast Guard maritime engagement team.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to come back to Sri Lanka and execute the sixth iteration of CARAT Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Navy Capt. John Baggett, commander, DESRON-7. “In a critical region like the Indian Ocean, our partnerships that we foster through exercises like CARAT are paramount to upholding stability.”
At sea, the P-8A Poseidon aircrew operated with Sri Lanka Navy sailors to demonstrate advanced maritime domain awareness and airborne reconnaissance, showcasing cross-platform information sharing to bolster regional maritime security.
Ashore, subject matter expert exchanges and practical education sessions focused on areas including tactical medicine and explosive ordnance disposal, facilitating direct skill transfer and relationship-building across ranks. Beyond tactical training, the two forces participated in bilateral sports days, community service projects, and cultural exchanges.
During the closing ceremony in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka Navy Commodore Dhanesh Pathberiya, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Fleet, received an award from U.S. Army Lt. Col. Matthew House, the senior defense official and defense attaché to Sri Lanka.
This year marks the 32nd iteration of CARAT, a multinational exercise series designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies’ ability to operate together in response to shared maritime security challenges. As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed destroyer squadron in Southeast Asia, DESRON-7 emphasized its commitment to building partnerships and promoting maritime security throughout the region. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to help preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.
