191030-N-FV739-0660 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 30, 2019) Royal Brunei Armed Forces Col. Mohd Ismaon bin Haji Zaini, director of force capability and development, climbs a Jacobs ladder aboard the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8) during a passenger transfer in support of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Brunei. This year marks the 25th iteration of CARAT, a multinational exercise designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies' 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 Christopher A. Veloicaza/Released)