Sattahip - The U.S. ambassador to Thailand launched this year’s CARAT exercise in an opening ceremony here Wednesday, July 5.

Sailors and Marines from the United States and Thailand stood at attention as American Ambassador Richard E. Hecklinger and Admiral Preecha Phungsuwan, deputy commander in chief of the Royal Thai Navy, officially started the exercise known as Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT).

“This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience and expertise as well as interoperability between the two forces,” said Admiral Preecha on the sixth anniversary of this combined exercise.