- continued -

Observers from 18 regional armed forces attended COBRA GOLD 2002. Here, the Exercise Deputy Commander, U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. Wallace C. Gregson, greets exercise observers from Vietnam.

Once the MNV neared the mine, a detachable arm with an attached float and 90-pound (40-kilogram) bomblet packed with about 60 pounds (27 kilograms) of high explosives attached itself to the moored mine’s anchor chain. Once the MNV was aboard the ship, an acoustic signal from the ship’s onboard acoustic transponder released the attached float and bomblet. The float carrying the bomblet rose up alongside the mine. A second acoustic signal actuated the bomblet.

The resulting explosion impressed everyone. "The mission went smoothly," said U.S. Navy Cmdr Bernie Gately, the USS Guardian’s Commanding Officer.

The crew ended the day with a successful Mission Package Two (MP-2) activation. The MP-2 uses the same 90-pound (40-kilogram) bomblet as the MP-3, but the MNV drops the bomblet close to a mine on the ocean floor.

Community Outreach Efforts

U.S. Marines, sailors and a local Christian humanitarian group provided food and clothing to two communities in Pattaya, Chonburi Province. "I’m glad that they’re here because I need help and there’s nobody to help me. I’m thankful for the food," said a 42-year-old woman living with her husband in the community. "I hope to see everybody visit more often. Their help has changed my view of foreigners."

Also in Pattaya, a group of U.S. Marines and sailors visited a rehabilitation center for troubled youths. The children played soccer, badminton, and basketball or worked in the garden with the volunteers.

Ninety-two percent of the 312 boys and 27 girls, who range in age from seven to 18, are in the center for selling or abusing drugs, according to Sopin Thappajug, managing director of the center and associate judge for Chonburi Province. She sent youths to live at the center to give them a second chance before they become adults. "Some of them have been back here three and four times. They are nice people, but they are receiving outside influences by prostitutes and drug dealers. Here, as a way to counter the bad influences, we teach them the skills they need to work in some of our main industries like hotels and factories. They can even work their way toward a free bachelor’s degree."

Marines and sailors also spent a day with the children at the Bangsaen Church soccer camp playing soccer and serving ice cream. Despite a language barrier, the teams built friendships while playing a game they both love. "It [soccer game] definitely boosted morale for everyone," said U.S. Navy Seaman Michael Garcia. "It also gave the kids a challenge to play against new players with different styles."