Chief Guards Officer Brig Gen. Goh Kee Nguan, Singapore Armed Forces Contingent Commander and Assistant Combined Task Force Commander for COBRA GOLD 2005, cited “the importance of interoperability with our partners” during the tsunami relief efforts in Indonesia. “. . . our links with other military forces came in very useful as we operated side by side during this operation. For example, we knew a number of the personnel from III MEF [U.S. Marine Expeditionary Force] before the tsunami [struck], as we had been working up towards COBRA GOLD 05.”

Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) Col. Homatsu Hidejiro said his focus at COBRA GOLD would be coordinating with civilian and nongovernmental relief organizations, as well as with multinational military personnel. “I think [JSDF] participation in COBRA GOLD for the first time has a very significant meaning for us,” he said. “We had been discussing the possibility of participation in terms of purpose since the focus on disaster relief was announced. We have the capability to provide support in case of a disaster.”

Indian Ocean Disaster Relief Workshop and Staff Exercise
The Indian Ocean Disaster Relief Workshop in Chiang Mai focused on coordination among military forces and the numerous relief agencies and nongovernmental organizations that took part in the tsunami relief effort. Senior military officials and relief workers attending the workshop agreed that better communication across cultures and commands would improve response time following a major disaster. Puji Pijiono, ASEAN’s disaster management committee chairman, called for a faster way to get critical information during a disaster. “We keep informed of blow-by-blow events through normal diplomatic channels . . . this cannot continue,” he said.

“Building professional relationships became a common theme of the workshop. Exercises like COBRA GOLD help build those relationships, but such contacts must continue to prevent clashes when multinational forces provide disaster relief,” said U.S. Army (retired) Col. John Cole, regional manager for the U.S. Pacific Command’s Asia-Pacific Area Network.

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Scott Weidie noted that knowing religious concerns preserves good will and prevents disorder on the ground. He emphasized working with relief agencies, as they “provide the local expertise” that can facilitate the military’s logistical role.

Others recognized the need for creative approaches when communicating with victims in devastated areas that lack newspapers and broadcasts. During food drops, for instance, tsunami victims eager for relief supplies sometimes rushed helicopters before propellers had been turned off. The combined information bureau and civil affairs workers began organizing leaflet drops, asking victims to keep a distance until relief helicopters shut down. “We saw an immediate difference the next time there was a helicopter lift bringing in supplies,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Mike Brown.

A staff exercise seminar followed that involved participants in a peacekeeping scenario on a fictitious island. The scenario included events that occurred during the tsunami relief effort. Participants separated into groups to discuss challenges encountered in the relief effort. “What we’re trying to do is look at what happens on the [senior] level,” said U.S. Marine Col. K. X. Lissner, referring to the complex interagency coordination that took place between the U.S. military and the dozens of agencies that supported tsunami relief efforts. “Ultimately, we want to end up with a vision for how we should respond to crises in the future, so we can have a better response.”

Mr. Jeff Goodman, a medical adviser with the International Medical Corps, noted that the key to successful responses during relief missions is the working relationship between military personnel and civilians in the humanitarian-assistance community. This involves a shift in traditional thinking for both sides; historically, relief workers have avoided militaries during wars to avoid compromising their impartiality. “In a conflict zone, you don’t want to be a civilian riding around on a Humvee,” said Mr. Goodman. “But during a humanitarian disaster, military logistical assistance allows aid workers to concentrate on helping victims and not worry about their own basic needs.”

Advancing the relationship formed with world relief agencies during the tsunami relief effort will determine how efficiently the military accomplishes its mission during the next disaster, noted U.S. Army Col. Robert Sweeney. “We each gained a healthy respect and learned a lot about each other,” he said. “Now that we know the players, we need to train more together.”

Jungle Survival Training
U.S. Marine Cpl. Justin Fiemann slowly moved his fingers toward the top of a cobra’s head in an attempt to pick it up during jungle survival training in Thung Prong, Sattahip. Cobras cannot strike at anything that is flat, so the Marines learned to put their boot at a 90-degree angle and then slowly move their hands to the back of the snake’s head. Once near the head, the Marines gently pushed the snake’s head to the ground in order to grab the neck.

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