U.S. Navy, Timor-Leste Defense Forces Commence 14th CARAT

by Lt.j.g. Camillia Nguyen

22 September 2025
DILI, TIMOR-LESTE

The U.S. Navy (USN) and Timor-Leste Defense Forces (F-FDTL), also known as Falintil- Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL), marked the start of the 14th Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Timor-Leste 2025, with an opening ceremony in Dili, Sept. 22.

“We are looking forward to conducting our 14th CARAT exercise with our partners here in Timor-Leste,” said Capt. Matt Scarlett, commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 and U.S. head of delegation. “In addressing shared challenges together, we are able to widen our knowledge and sharpen our skills to secure a more stable maritime environment in the Indo-Pacific region.”

U.S. assets participating in the exercise include the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Cincinnati (LCS 20); a P-8A Poseidon attached to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72; personnel from the Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team – Pacific (FASTPAC); members of the U.S. 7th Fleet Band; and a U.S. Coast Guard visit, board search and seizure (VBSS) team. Timorese participation will include divers, EOD technicians, the F-FDTL band, and a medical team.

During the shore phase, U.S. and Timorese service member subject matter experts will exchange knowledge covering legal, medical, dive and salvage, port security, and force-protection topics. Sailors will also participate in community relations events (COMRELs) to enhance the people-to-people connections that form the foundation of the U.S.-Timorese relationship.

“In the field of defense, bilateral cooperation has translated into consistent support for the development of the capabilities of the F-FDTL through training programs, technical assistance, and exercises such as CARAT,” said Lieutenant General Falur Rate Laek, F-FDTL’s chief of defense. “This support has been invaluable in building professional defense forces capable of ensuring national security and contributing to regional stability.”

CARAT Timor-Leste is designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance maritime interoperability. This year marks the 31st iteration of CARAT, a multinational exercise series designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies' abilities to operate together in response to shared maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed DESRON in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to Singapore; functions as Commander, Task Force 76 Sea Combat Commander; and builds partnerships through training exercises and military-to-military engagements as the executing agent of Commander, Task Group CARAT.

7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.