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| Thai and U.S. Marines stand shoulder to shoulder against mock protesters while friendly nation evacuees are escorted to a helicopter during a COBRA GOLD 2003 Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) scenario. |
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At the May 2003 opening ceremony at Naval Air Station Utapao, Thailand, the armed forces of Thailand, Singapore, and the United States marked the beginning of the 22nd annual COBRA GOLD exercise. One of the largest military exercises in the Asia-Pacific region, COBRA GOLD is part of a series of Thai-U.S. exercises designed to ensure regional peace by strengthening the ability of the participating countries to defend themselves and respond to regional contingencies.
Eleven countries sent observers. These include Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. The observers will help their respective countries consider possible participation in future COBRA GOLD exercises. Military personnel from Mongolia and the Philippines are scheduled to participate in COBRA GOLD 2004. |
COBRA GOLD Exercise Commander Vice Adm. Som Jai Wattanayothin of the Royal Thai Navy, Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Wallace Gregson of the U.S. Marine Corps, and Assistant Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Chin Phei Chen of the Singapore Army led the combined staff in the execution of exercise maneuvers.
Royal Thai Supreme Commander Gen. Surayud Chulanont told participants that working with other nations in a joint and combined environment has proven effective in Afghanistan and has given nations and their service members confidence for a global effort to combat terror campaigns. Gen. Surayud noted that bringing resources together in scenario-driven exercises creates a state of readiness and establishes a sense of camaraderie. |
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| Photo by LCpl. James P. Douglas, USMC |
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Also at the opening ceremony, U.S. Ambassador Darryl N. Johnson noted, “COBRA GOLD has evolved from its early years to become a confidence-building vehicle for bringing the region closer together. [It] is an excellent training platform to prepare for future multilateral peace-enforcement operations, which enhance interoperability between nations and services.” Ambassador Johnson also observed, “The September 11 [2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S.] and Bali attacks [in Indonesia], combined with recent attacks in Saudi Arabia, Chechnya, and elsewhere, emphasize the need for the international community to come together and protect ourselves, our societies, and our citizens from the menace of terrorism.”
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U.S. Marines brief the M240 Machine Gun to Thai and U.S. Marines.
Photo by LCpl. James P. Douglas, USMC |
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Compiled by the Asia-Pacific Defense FORUM Staff from press releases from the Singapore Ministry of Defense; by MSgt. Michael Farris, USAF, of the 353rd Special Operations Group, Public Affairs; Sgt. Monica R. Garreau, USAF, of the 17th Public Affairs Detachment; and from the COBRA GOLD 2003 Combined Information Bureau by Spec. Douglas DeMaio, USA; Cpl. Trevor M. Carlee, USMC; Cpl. Benjamin M. George, USMC; SSgt. Jason M. Webb, USMC; and Maj. Dawn DeVine, USA. |
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