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Adm. Navong Yuthrvong, Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces; U.S. Ambassador Darryl N. Johnson; and Singapore’s Ambassador Chan Heng Wing return salutes during Exercise COBRA GOLD’s opening ceremonies. Photo by Cpl. Cobra M. Jones, USMC

COBRA GOLD 2002 took place from 14 to 28 May and involved more than 21,000 people from the three nations. Thai Forces numbered about 7,000 and included elements of the Royal Thai Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. Participants included 80 members of the Singapore Armed Forces participated and 14,000 U.S. military personnel such as elements of U.S. Marine Forces Pacific, U.S. Army Pacific, U.S. Seventh Fleet, U.S. Pacific Air Forces, Military Sealift Command, Military Airlift Command, and U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific.

U.S Navy ships participating in the exercise included the amphibious assault ships USS Essex (LHD 2) and USS Juneau (LPD 10), dock-landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), and mine counter measures ships USS Guardian (MCM 5) and USS Patriot (MCM 7).

Previously an exercise observer, Singapore has been a full-fledged participant for two years. The 80-member Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) contingent participated in the command post exercise phase of COBRA GOLD 2002, undertaking the role of staff planners for peace support and non-combatant evacuation operation scenarios alongside their Thai and U.S. counterparts.

According to the Singapore Ministry of Defense, Exercise COBRA GOLD 2002 helps to enhance the SAF’s professional and operational skills, in areas such as joint operational planning processes, as well as logistical, command, control and coordination issues related to peace support operations. Exercise COBRA GOLD also serves to promote interactions among the three armed forces and enhance rapport among their officers and men.