SINGAPORE (Jan. 9, 2023) Rear Adm. Mark Melson, Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73, and Rear Adm. Sean Wat, Fleet Commander, Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), shake hands prior to the opening ceremony of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)/Marine Exercise (MAREX) Singapore 2022, Jan. 9, 2023. CARAT Singapore is a bilateral exercise between Singapore and the United States designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance maritime cooperation. In its 28th, 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. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, comprised of Makin Island, Murtha and amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD 23), is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations with the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit to enhance interoperability with Allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force to defend peace and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kendra Helmbrecht)