|
CARAT 2008 a success despite bad weather
A special report by Pattaya Mail journalists on board the USS Tortuga
 Theerarak
Suthatiwong
& Vimolrat Singnikorn
CARAT 2008, the Cooperation Afloat Readiness And Training exercises
staged jointly by the US Navy and the Royal Thai Navy kicked off at 6
a.m. on June 12 at Juksamet Port in Sattahip.
The exercises were under the command of Rear Admiral Thanarat Ubol,
commander of the Royal Thai Navy’s Frigate Squadron Two, and Rear
Admiral Nora W Tyson, commander of the US Navy Logistics Group in the
Western Pacific.
Each year the US carries out CARAT exercises with friendly countries in
Southeast Asia, this year marking the 14th consecutive year. In
Thailand, Frigate Squadron One and Frigate Squadron Two of the Royal
Thai Fleet take turns in assuming responsibility for the combined
exercises.
This year the Royal Thai Navy fielded six ships for the exercises,
namely HTMS Phutthalertlar Naphalai, HTMS Naraesuan (a frigate), HTMS
Sukhothai (a missile corvette), HTMS Surin (Amphibious Squadron), HTMS
Bangrachan, and HTMS Nongsarai (Mine Squadron). Thai Navy personnel
totaling 2,600 people took part.
The US had four ships participating, namely the USS Tortuga (an LSD 46
class), USS Jarrett (FFG 54), USS Ford (FFG 33), and USS Safeguard. A
total of 1,200 American personnel took part.
 The
USS Tortuga slowly leaves port.
Rear Admiral Thanarat said that CARAT offers an excellent opportunity to
both US and Thai military personnel for improving skills in operational
planning, shipboard operations, amphibious operations, special warfare,
weapons training, humanitarian operations, and anti-terrorism measures.
The ultimate objective is to strengthen the already strong relations and
further enhance the interoperability of Thailand and the US, said the
Rear Admiral.
On the first day of the exercises, all of the ships moved out early in
the morning from Laemtien Port and Juksamet Port. The lead ship was the
Tortuga, under the operational command of Commander John Zuhowski. The
vessel was loaded with four Humvees, two remote controlled jet skis, two
LCU boats for disembarking troops, and vehicles for the transport of
equipment.
 The
HTMS Sukhothai participates in the CARAT exercises.
When the Tortuga was 12 nautical miles out from shore, a Well Deck was
released into the water for training with the two LCUs. The afternoon
saw a Hi-Line-Transfer exercise between the Tortuga and the
Phutthalertlar Naphalai.
In the evening an exercise with the EMATT submarine (Expendable Mobile
Acoustic Training Target) was held. This imitates the sound signature of
a submarine, and provides training for crew to find and destroy an enemy
submarine.
On the second day, June 13, anti-aircraft gun training was held on the
Tortuga, in which a drone was released and sent for a distance of 20
nautical miles. The HTMS Sukothai used radar to track the target, and
released a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile or ASPIDE to destroy
the drone. A powerful explosion in the sky about 10 nautical miles away
showed that the Sukhothai had made a direct hit.
 US
Navy personnel check remote control gear for the drones in preparation
of the surface to air missile training exercise.
The Tortuga was fully equipped for medical treatment, with nurses and
physicians on board. Lt Nazima Kathiria, a doctor on the Tortuga said
that the second deck of the ship acts as a first aid area, and there is
an operating theater, an X-ray room, two dental rooms, and 24-hour
doctor service.
Physicians and a team of nurses from Apakorn Kiatwong Hospital visited
the Tortuga, led by Chief Petty Officer Ricardo Garza. Amongst the
facilities they were given a tour of the ship’s kitchens, which are
completely geared to hygiene and effective waste disposal.
On the third day of operations, June 14, the Thai and US Marine Corps
gathered to exercise at the Well Deck, and then gave visitors a guided
tour of the crew quarters and the engine room.
During the afternoon, Tortuga officers opened the Well Deck door to
allow approximately 5ft of water into the facility. This was done for
the four Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs) and the Landing Craft
Vehicles (LCVs) transporting the US and Thai Marine Corps personnel to
the shore. The exercise was postponed because of high seas, and plans
made to move to Prachuab Kirikhan territorial waters, where the seas are
calmer. The AAV is a fully tracked vehicle that can carry 21 Marines and
their armaments to the shore.
On the fourth day, June 15, which was the last day on the Tortuga for
the CARAT 2008 exercise, it was planned to send 36 Thai Marine Corps and
20 US Marine Corps personnel to the shore on the four AAVs, landing at
Had Yao in Sattahip. Again, however, the seas were high and there was
also heavy rain, so the exercise was called off and the AAVs sent back
to HTMS Surin.
Towards the end of the last day, seven of the ships taking part in the
exercises lined up in a V formation led by the Tortuga for souvenir
photographs.
The Thai and American personnel then disembarked at Juksamet Pier for
the closing ceremony. Even though the training could not be completed
due to the weather situation, CARAT 2008 was deemed to be a success.
Furthermore, CARAT created a real understanding between all those taking
part, and left a memorable impression for everyone.
The Pattaya Mail team of reporters would like to thank Commander Daryl
Borgquist of Public Affairs Office Destroyer Squadron One, Mass
Communications Specialist Leticia Fritzsche, and all the Thai and US
military officers who took such good care of us during the four nights
we spent on the USS Tortuga preparing this report.
U.S. and Thai ships are in
formation while participating in tactical maneuvering exercises during
Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2008. U.S. ships
include the USS Tortuga (LSD 46), USS Ford (FFG 54), USS Jarrett (FFG
33), U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau (WHEC 722). Royal Thai Navy
Ships include HTMS Naraesuan, HTMS Phutthalertlar Naphalai, and HTMS
Sukhothai. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class
Daniel Meaney)
CARAT exercises out in the
Gulf of Thailand.
The USS Ford (foreground),
HTMS Phutthalertlar Naphalai (back left), and HTMS Sukhothai (back
right) participate in sea trials during the CARAT exercises.
US Navy personnel prepare
radio controlled drones to imitate surface to air missiles during the
training exercises.
Prepared and ready to
launch.
The first afternoon saw a
Hi-Line-Transfer exercise between
the Tortuga and the Phutthalertlar Naphalai.
Tortuga officers open the
Well Deck door.
Captain Dr Temsiri
Hijeeranan (left) and Lieutenant Nurse Kantharot Sinnoi (right) share a
laugh with an American sailor aboard the USS Tortuga.
A visit to the bridge
aboard the USS Tortuga.
Pattaya Mail reporter
Theerarak Suthatiwong says thanks to Commander Daryl Borgquist of Public
Affairs Office Destroyer Squadron One.
Chief Petty Officer
Ricardo Garza (2nd left) leads physicians and a team of nurses from
Apakorn Kiatwong Hospital, including Commander Dr Putpannee Prasarn,
Captain Dr Temsiri Hijeeranan and Lieutenant Nurse Kantharot Sinnoi on a
tour of the USS Tortuga’s kitchens.
A small part of the USS
Tortuga’s massive engine room.
Sailors keep fit with
calisthenics.
One of the Landing Craft
Vehicles (LCVs) transports the US and Thai Marine Corps personnel and
equipment to shore.
New president installed at Ban Chang Rotary Club
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Dr Atithep Jariyawetwattana took his position as president of the
Ban Chang Rotary Club during a ceremony on June 22, with former president
Chantamat Jariyawetwattana stepping down after completing her term for
2007-2008.
 DG
Pratheep Malhotra installs Dr Atithep Jariyawetwattana as president of the
Rotary Club of Ban Chang.
The ceremony took place at Ban Chang District Community Hall in Rayong, with
newly installed governor of District 3340 Pratheep Malhotra taking part,
along with past district governor Premprecha Thipayawan and Ban Chang
District Chief Thatree Namasonthi.
Rotarians from many clubs in the district attended to offer their
congratulations on this occasion.
The newly installed president declared that he would follow the traditions
of Rotary and continue the work of his predecessor in working for the
benefit of society. There is much to be done, he said, including polio
vaccinations, providing clean drinking water to the schools and the
community and scholarships for impoverished students with good scholastic
results.
 Chantamat
Jariyawetwattan receives her hard-earned past president’s badge from DG
Pratheep.
The Ban Chang Rotary Club has an AIDS project, and an extensive
tree-planting program.
Past district governor Premprecha inducted 5 new members into the club as
Mae Obrom Jariyawetwattana wife of the much respected charter president the
late Dr.Chakchai Jariyawetwattana presented awards to the seven members for
their 100 percent attendance at the weekly meetings during the past year.
Dr Atithep presented 31 scholarships valued at 1,000 baht each to students
in Ban Chang schools.
Ban Chang District Chief
Thatree Namasonthi (left) is thanked
for presiding at the installation ceremonies.
Rotarians install clean water system for school children
Presentation ceremony broadcast live to USA
Pratheep Malhotra, District
Governor of District 3340 R.I., and Chuwit Sinthai,
deputy director of Udon Thani Education Office Region 1, jointly cut the
ribbon
to mark the official presentation of the project.
Staff Reporters
Rotarians around the world have been made aware that the rate of
child mortality has risen at a dramatic rate. D.K. Lee, President of Rotary
International 2008-09 announced that more than 30,000 children under the age
of five die from preventable causes every day. Out of this number, more than
6,000 die daily from drinking unclean water.
For many years now, Rotarians have put emphasis on eradication of the
dreaded polio disease, the need of health care, alleviating hunger, and
giving children an education, including ensuring that clean water both for
consumption and hygiene purposes are made readily available to the world’s
children.
One of the more active clubs in District 3340 R.I., namely the Rotary Club
of Magkang in Udon Thani province, with the help and participation of Rotary
Clubs in foreign countries have initiated and implemented numerous clean
water projects for rural schools in and around their community.
 School
children can now drink clean and safe water, thanks to Rotarians’ hard work
and sacrifice.
Recently Pratheep Malhotra, District Governor of District 3340 R.I., was
invited to officiate at a ceremony to present the newly constructed water
purification system to the Udon Pattanakarn School in Panjan sub-district,
Udon Thani province.
This project was made possible through the Rotary Foundation Matching Grants
programme in cooperation with the Rotary Clubs of Westchester and Thai Town
in District 5280 in the USA together with the Rotary Club of Magkang in Udon
Thani province.
This project, completed with a budget of 150,000 baht, marked the eighth of
11 projects in which the local Rotary Club has cooperated with the two
Rotary clubs in the USA.
President Adisak Chutrakul of the Rotary Club of Magkang said that his club
has been working on clean water projects for children to have a healthier
life and to pay deepest homage to His Majesty the King on the 80th
anniversary of his birth.
He emphasized the fact that these projects would not have been made possible
had it not been for Soparat Pollard, a native of Udon Thani who now lives in
the USA and is the driving force of this joint effort.
Other dignitaries at the presentation included Chuwit Sinthai, deputy
director of Udon Thani Education Office Region 1, Anand Pisaisawat, director
of Udon Pattanakarn School and Sarun Chatdecha, the club’s president for
2008-09.
The presentation was broadcast live back to America via satellite and the
internet for Rotary members on the other side of the world to witness this
humanitarian project.
Keeping the emphasis of the Rotary theme of Make Dreams Real, DGE
Pratheep said, “Eradication and protection against polio, the alarming rate
of child mortality, need of health care, hunger, lack of clean water, and
illiteracy are real and are in need of our immediate attention. Let’s keep
our focus on these areas and work as long as it takes to bring relief.
Helping is what Rotarians do best and even if we save one life it makes a
big difference. Lets Make Dreams Real for the world’s children.”
School children enjoy a glass
of cool, clean water as Rotarians and government officials line up for a
photograph.
DG Pratheep plants a
commemorative teak tree in the school
compound assisted by members of the Rotary Club of Magkang.
25,000 Lions roar into Thailand
Pattaya plays key role in international convention
Staff reporters
More than 25,000 members of the Lions Club fraternity from around
the world gathered at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani in Bangkok from June 23 to 27
for one of the largest international conventions ever held in Thailand, the
91st Lions Clubs International Convention.
 Albert
F. Brandel, president-elect of the International Association of Lions Clubs,
introduces himself and his associates.
Before the main event itself, Pattaya played a significant role by hosting
Lions district governors-elect from 750 Lions districts worldwide at the
Royal Cliff Beach Resort’s PEACH to take part in their own seminars prior to
going to Bangkok.
More than 2,000 attended PEACH, starting on June 18. The event was
coordinated by the four Lions Clubs in Pattaya led by Kowit Thianthongnukul,
district governor of District 310 C Lions International.
President elect of the International Association of Lions Clubs Albert F
Brandel presented an honorary plaque during the closing ceremony at PEACH to
managing director Panga Vathanakul for the resort’s contribution in helping
to make their prestigious event a success.
Capt Kachit Hupananon, former president of the International Lions Clubs
from 1998 to 1999 was the chair organizer for the 91st Lions Clubs
International Convention.
A floral parade took place in Bangkok on June 24, starting from
Chulalongkorn University on Phyathai Road, and ending at the National
Stadium, Rama IV Road.
Minister of Tourism and Sport Weerasak Kowsurat said that this important
convention was an ideal opportunity for Thailand to demonstrate its ability
to host international conventions.
Estimates are that the convention brought in revenues of more than 3 billion
baht.
International Lions district
governors-elect are treated
to exotic Thai fruit upon their arrival at PEACH.
The amusing opening ceremony
included a musical, complete with a chorus line.
Lions district governors-elect
from 750 Lions districts worldwide
are welcomed to the Lions World Congress at PEACH.
|
