MUARA, Brunei (Oct. 31, 2019) Lt.j.g. Israel Varela, collateral duty public affairs officer for Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8), is interviewed by local media during a media availability event 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)