Thailand, US conclude joint naval drill

Thai and American Navy forces have concluded their joint naval drill named CARAT 2013.
Thai and American Navy forces have concluded their joint naval drill named CARAT 2013.

The operation, conducted at Yothaka Navy Agriculture Centerin Ongkharak district, Nakhon Nayok province, aimed to strengthen therelationships between the two nations, improve strategies andinstruction distribution, enhance anti-terrorism measures and mitigatenatural disasters.

The drill included combat simulationbetween the red team, performed by the US Navy forces assuming the roleof narcotics smuggling rings, and the blue, comprised of Thai Navymarines played as the government forces.

During the drill,Thailand's Navy has shown its efficiency in devising strategies,establishing special task unit and deploying boats, armored jets anddrones to seize the opponent areas.

As the result, Thailand's team was able to fulfill its mission in a few minutes, with only one injury.

CARAT 2013 was deemed the most complicated naval exercise Thailand had ever participated in.-VNA

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