GULF OF THAILAND (May 27, 2022) The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6) sails in the Gulf of Thailand during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2022, May 27, 2022. CARAT Thailand is an annual bilateral naval exercise between the U.S. Navy and Royal Thai Navy. Thailand has been part of the CARAT exercise series since 1995. Now in its 28th year, the CARAT series comprises multiple multinational exercises, designed to enhance U.S. and allied and partner navies’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Alexandra Green)