Asia Pacific Nations
Demonstrating Shared Resolve for Regional Peace and Security
Compiled by Asia-Pacific Defense FORUM Staff

This year’s exercise will demonstrate …the true picture of military cooperation conducted in a most creative manner, designed to enhance the capability to cooperate in humanitarian assistance operations in [times] of suffering and tremendous loss of life.

General Chaisit Shinawatra
Royal Thai Armed Forces
Supreme Commander

Exercise COBRA GOLD 2005, the 24th in the annual multilateral exercise series held in Thailand, focused on lessons learned from disaster-relief operations following the 26 December 2004 tsunami that devastated nations surrounding the Indian Ocean. This was the fifth in which Singapore has participated, and the first time Japan has participated since joining the exercise as an observer in 2001.

One of the largest exercises involving forces from throughout the Pacific region, COBRA GOLD promotes regional peace and security by enhancing readiness, interoperability, and relationships among participants. The exercise focuses on the Asia-Pacific region, including peacekeeping and counter-terrorism operations. COBRA GOLD also supports the humanitarian interests of friends and allies in the Asia-Pacific region.

More than 80 Singapore Armed Forces personnel, 2,600 Royal Thai military personnel, and 3,600 U.S military personnel participated in COBRA GOLD 2005. The exercise included a disaster-relief workshop, a computer-assisted staff exercise, and field training. Thai and U.S. forces also participated in jungle survival training and in close-quarter battle training, where U.S. forces demonstrated how they clear rooms, take prisoners of war, and patrol urban areas.

More than 20 Japan Self-Defense Force personnel took part in the workshop and staff exercise in the northern city of Chiang Mai. Singapore, Thai, and U.S. forces also participated in six engineering construction projects and 11 medical/dental projects throughout Thailand during COBRA GOLD 2005.

Thailand, the host of the multinational disaster-relief center during tsunami-relief operations, invited several nations and agencies to participate in the workshop and staff exercise. Those nations included Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom.

Opening Ceremony
Speaking at the opening ceremony of COBRA GOLD 2005, General Chaisit Shinawatra, Royal Thai Armed Forces Supreme Commander, noted that COBRA GOLD “is unique for its transparency and straightforwardness, which is a testament to the involvement of countries both from within and outside the region, participating in the exercise.” He added, “This year’s exercise will demonstrate …the true picture of military cooperation conducted in a most creative manner, designed to enhance the capability to cooperate in humanitarian assistance operations in [times] of suffering and tremendous loss of life.”

Also addressing participants, Admiral William J. Fallon, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, said, “COBRA GOLD …reflects the reality as we see it in this world today…. in virtually every operation involving people, whether it’s a natural disaster or some other event that may be human caused or human assisted, …it is not by military means alone that we can achieve success, but rather we need a full interaction of many capabilities – military and civilian alike – if we’re to be successful in relieving misery and pain.”

 next >>