TRINCOMALEE, Sri Lanka (June 26, 2021) The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) departs Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, following a contactless port visit ahead of the sea phase of Cooperation Afloat and Readiness at Sea Training (CARAT) Sri Lanka, June 26. In its 27th year, the CARAT series is comprised of multinational exercises, 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. (Sri Lanka Navy Media courtesy photo)