Brunei and US Navy and Brunei finished their maritime training at Muara Naval Base today after 10 days of exercise in the South China Sea.

"This is a show of partnership. There is no activity that better demonstrates our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region beyond cooperation at sea," the benchmark said. Director Joey Tynch, commander of the US Navy's Western Pacific Logistics Group, said in a statement today at the conclusion of the Maritime Readiness Training and Cooperation (CARAT) with the Brunei navy.

The 25th annual joint exercise between the United States and Brunei takes place from October 22 to October 31 in the South China Sea, in the context of increasing US cooperation with regional countries such as the Philippines, Australia and Brunei to challenge China's irrational sovereignty claim to almost all of this maritime area.

"We have a very special relationship with Brunei because we have worked with the royal army of the country for over 50 years. We share a special comprehensive partnership built on trust and commitment. will continue to train in various maritime situations, "said destroyer squadron commander 7, Colonel Matthew Jerbi.

During the 10-day drill, USS Montgomery coastal combat ship and USNS Millinocket high-speed transport ship coordinated operations with the offshore shore patrol ship KDB Darulaman and the near-shore patrol ship KDB Syafaat of the Brunei navy. Soldiers carry out exercises to track targets, land helicopters on deck, simulate medical evacuation situations, practice tactical tactics and logistics at sea.

This year's drills also include an aerial search and rescue section with P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance and Brunei military helicopters. The United States also dispatched an unmanned reconnaissance helicopter MQ-8B to join CARAT Brunei 2019.

Attempts to cope with China's unjustified sovereignty claim in the Western Pacific are part of the US defense strategy in 2018. CARAT Brunei 2019 is the fourth training in the US co-operation chain in Indo-Pacific region. Earlier, militaries from Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand also held separate exercises with the US.