USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26) Participates in CARAT Timor-Leste

by Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Samoluk

09 February 2023 DILI, EAST TIMOR -- Sailors from amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), are greeted with a traditional dance by representatives of Timor-Leste for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)/Marine Exercise (MAREX) 2023 in Dili, Feb. 10, 2023. CARAT/MAREX Timor-Leste is a bilateral exercise between Timor-Leste and the United States designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance maritime interoperability. In its 28th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and partner forces’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Samoluk)