U.S., S'pore launch exercises

U.S., S'pore launch exercises

SINGAPORE: Singapore and the United States launched on Tuesday
their most significant military exercises since the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks, with the participation for the first time of
aircraft from the U.S. marines.

About 2,000 troops from the navy, army, marine corps and coast
guard of the two allies, as well as 14 ships will take part in
the 11-day Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)
exercises in the South China Sea and the southern islands.

For the first time in the eight-year history of the exercises,
air assets from the U.S. marines such as F-18 combat jets and Sea
Stallion helicopters were mobilized to support ground forces,
officials said.

A U.S. Coast Guard cutter, the USCGC Morgenthau, as well as
the guided missile cruiser USS Vincennes will also participate
for the first time.

The CARAT series, which is also conducted with Brunei,
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, was among
those retained military exercise after the Sept.11 attack.--AFP