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U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Timothy Ghormley, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade Commander, receives a welcoming handshake from Thai Marine Lt. j.g. Pitakrat during Brig. Gen. Ghormley’s visit to Ban Chan Krem firing range.
Photo by MSgt. David McCarthy, USAF |
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| An annual joint/combined, multilateral exercise, COBRA GOLD strengthens combat readiness and combined-joint interoperability of the three countries’ armed forces, enhances security relationships, and demonstrates U.S. resolve in the region. This year’s exercise focused on peace enforcement, disaster relief operations, and humanitarian assistance through Thai-U.S. medical and civil assistance projects. Thai and U.S. military personnel conducted multiple medical, dental, veterinary, and construction projects to help improve the quality of life of local residents. |
COBRA GOLD involved more than 13,000 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 86 Singapore Army personnel and 5,200 U.S. military personnel from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. Previously an exercise observer, Singapore has been a full participant since 2000. The Singapore Ministry of Defense stated that “Besides enhancing the SAF’s [Singapore Armed Forces] professional experience, participation in Exercise COBRA GOLD also helps develop understanding and rapport among the three armed forces.”
Live-Fire Exercises
With his Royal Thai Marine partner providing cover fire, U.S. Marine LCpl. Isaac Rodriguez stared through the night sight of his M16A2 Service Rifle, shot rounds down range, and quickly reloaded his rifle during combined combat shooting drills.
This live-fire exercise involved about 20 Royal Thai Marines and 35 U.S. Marines. It was the first of many such exercises throughout COBRA GOLD. U.S. Marine Capt. Virgilio Arcega explained, “This training provides a new environment, so we are faced with new and different challenges. Also, the way we fight now is in a coalition of forces, so it is extremely important to continue to train and learn from each other as much as we can.” CPO1 Sawat Jumnongchob with the Royal Thai Marine Reconnaissance Battalion expressed a similar opinion, “The [U.S.] Marines are very patient. I hope to learn a lot from them, and I look forward to the rest of the training that we will take part in during this exercise.”
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Lt. Gen. Wallace Gregson, then Commanding General, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, talks with U.S. Marines during the exercise.
Photo by LCpl. Amanda L. Rothweiler, USMC |
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A Thai Marine and a U.S. Marine sight their target with the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon light machine gun mounted on a High-Mobility Multiwheeled Vehicle.
Photo by LCpl. James P. Douglas, USMC |
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Thai and U.S. Marines rush to aim their M198 155mm howitzer during a dry-fire exercise.
Photo by LCpl. James P. Douglas, USMC |
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