Speeches
CARAT Singapore Reception, USS Tortuga (LSD 46)
Remarks by Ambassador Patricia L. Herbold
June 23, 2008, 7:00 PM
Thank you, Admiral Tyson. Excellencies, Admirals, and distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good evening and welcome. It’s a pleasure for me to welcome the USS Tortuga back to beautiful Singapore and to see so many of our friends here tonight.
We’re honored tonight to have members of the Singapore Navy in attendance. I would especially like to extend a warm welcome to Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Ng Chee Peng and Commander 1st Flotilla Colonel Wellman Wan. Thank you both for coming.
I would also like to express my gratitude to the Republic of Singapore Navy for Singapore's continued hospitality. Singapore has been one of our strongest regional partners, graciously hosting COMLOG WESTPAC since the early 1990’s. And as a demonstration of our commitment to Singapore and the region, U.S. ships account for about one third of the ship visits to Changi Naval Base and make approximately 150 port visits to Singapore annually.
The United States and Singapore are working together effectively, and with other likeminded countries, to advance our strong shared interest in ensuring a secure maritime environment in Southeast Asia. This is the 14th year for CARAT (Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training. Each year, the exercise has increased in size and complexity, which results in greater benefits for all the participants.
CARAT plays a crucial role in our regional maritime stability, and Singapore's Ministry of Defense contributes greatly to the quality and commitment of the exercise. The United States’ contribution to CARAT Singapore this year involves six ships that have the ability to conduct at-sea missions in the areas of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Maritime Law Enforcement, and Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), including a missile shoot this year.
On shore, the exercise will include several community relations events, a sports day, a medical symposium and exercise planning events. As a sign of how much we value this exercise, the U.S. military has committed approximately two thousand personnel in support of CARAT Singapore.
Let me conclude by wishing everyone a safe and successful exercise. Special thanks to Captain Michael W. Selby, Commander Destroyer Squadron One and Commander of the CARAT Task Group, for hosting this reception tonight and to Commander John J. Zuhowski and the crew of the USS Tortuga, for welcoming us onboard. Enjoy your evening.