| The Philippine and the US Navies launch exercise |
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| World Affairs Talk | |
| Friday, 01 June 2007 | |
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The bilateral exercise launched with an opening ceremony at the Philippine Naval Forces Western Mindanao Officers Club Headquarters. Philippine Navy told reporters in a press statement that CARAT is designed to enhance interoperability and to exchange knowledge and skills needed for engaging threat of terrorism and transnational crimes at sea. The Philippine Navy has organized three patrol ships, three maritime patrol aircrafts, one helicopter, and components of the 1st Marine Brigade for the field training exercise. The US Navy on the other hand, will be committing three ships, the USS Harper's Ferry, USS Ford and USS Jarrett. The Philippine Navy also provided composite members of the Navy Construction Brigade and medical teams for joint activities along with their US Navy counterparts. The US Navy maintains a sizable presence in the world, deploying in such areas as East Asia, Southern Europe, and the Middle East. Its ability to project force onto the littoral regions of the world, engage in forward areas during peacetime, and rapidly respond to regional crises makes it an active player in American foreign and defence policy. The United States Navy is the largest in the world and has a budget of $127.3 billion for the 2007 fiscal year. Its stated mission is "to maintain, train and equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas." The U.S. Navy currently has nearly 342,000 personnel on active duty and 129,634 in the Navy Reserve; it has 276 ships in active service and more than 4,000 aircraft. It has five active numbered fleets — Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh; that are each led by a three-star Vice Admiral. The Philippine Navy is administered through the Department of National Defense (DND). Under the AFP structure, the Chief of Staff, AFP (CSAFP), a four-star, is the most senior military officer. The senior naval officer is the Flag Officer-in-Command (FOIC), usually with a rank of vice-admiral. He or she, along with his or her Air Force and Army counterparts, is junior only to the CSAFP. The FOIC is solely responsible for the administration and operational status of the Navy. The American colonial government in the Philippines created the Bureau of the Coast Guard and Transportation, which aimed to maintain peace and order, transport constabulary troops, and guard against smuggling and piracy. The Americans employed many Filipino sailors and they were also integrated in other bureaus such as the Bureaus of Customs and Immigration, Island and Inter-island Transportation, Coast and Geodetic Survey, and Lighthouses. Navies of these two countries experienced a friendly relationship throughout the history. CARAT takes them even closer, both strategically and politically. Share & Bookmark             |
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