SLAF SUCCESSFULLY TAKES PART IN COOPERATION AFLOAT READINESS AND TRAINING – (CARAT–21) EXERCISE
2:57pm on Friday 2nd July 2021
The sea phase of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT-21) Exercise joined by the Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force, United States 7th Fleet and Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) began off Trincomalee on 26th June 2021 and concluded on 30 June 2021 on a very successful note.
Sri Lanka Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessels- SLNS Sayurala and Gajabahu took part in the sea phase of CARAT-21 held on 26th and 27th June and Sri Lanka Air Force provided Bell 212 and 412 helicopters as air assets. The USS Charleston (LCS-18) a Littoral Combat Ship and its ship borne helicopter from the US 7th Fleet augmented the exercise. In addition, a Boeing P-8A Poseidon – a Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the US 7th Fleet also took part in the air observer exercise.
The ship borne helicopter MH-60S of the USS Charleston and Bell 212 of Sri Lanka Air Force in coordination with SLNS Gajabahu executed VERTREP exercises on 27 June 2021. The MH-60S helicopter of US Navy and a SLAF Bell 412 helicopter conducted Crossdeck Landings with SLNS Sayurala.
The Tracking Exercise (TRACKEX) was held on 28 June 2021 and on 29 June 2021 was joined by the Offshore Patrol Vessels, SLNS Sayurala and Gajabahu, the B 200 Beechcraft from the SLAF as well as the USS Charleston and a Boeing P-8A Poseidon from the US 7th Fleet. Further, JMSDF Ship Yuugiri (DD-153) a destroyer and a ship borne helicopter from the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force are also expected to join the sea phase of the exercises. This multilateral naval exercise was held until 30th June 2021 in line with the health protocols in force to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Air assets from the No 3 Maritime Squadron, No 4 Helicopter Squadron and the No 7 Helicopter Squadron have been actively involved in this year’s CARAT Exercise.
Sri Lanka Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessels- SLNS Sayurala and Gajabahu took part in the sea phase of CARAT-21 held on 26th and 27th June and Sri Lanka Air Force provided Bell 212 and 412 helicopters as air assets. The USS Charleston (LCS-18) a Littoral Combat Ship and its ship borne helicopter from the US 7th Fleet augmented the exercise. In addition, a Boeing P-8A Poseidon – a Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the US 7th Fleet also took part in the air observer exercise.
The ship borne helicopter MH-60S of the USS Charleston and Bell 212 of Sri Lanka Air Force in coordination with SLNS Gajabahu executed VERTREP exercises on 27 June 2021. The MH-60S helicopter of US Navy and a SLAF Bell 412 helicopter conducted Crossdeck Landings with SLNS Sayurala.
The Tracking Exercise (TRACKEX) was held on 28 June 2021 and on 29 June 2021 was joined by the Offshore Patrol Vessels, SLNS Sayurala and Gajabahu, the B 200 Beechcraft from the SLAF as well as the USS Charleston and a Boeing P-8A Poseidon from the US 7th Fleet. Further, JMSDF Ship Yuugiri (DD-153) a destroyer and a ship borne helicopter from the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force are also expected to join the sea phase of the exercises. This multilateral naval exercise was held until 30th June 2021 in line with the health protocols in force to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Air assets from the No 3 Maritime Squadron, No 4 Helicopter Squadron and the No 7 Helicopter Squadron have been actively involved in this year’s CARAT Exercise.
