COBRA GOLD is an annual joint/combined multilateral exercise to improve readiness and interoperability between participating forces. Here, the five-nation color guard posts their colors during the opening ceremony for COBRA GOLD 2004 in Korat, Thailand. Photo by SSgt. JoAnn S. Makinano, USAF

A Royal Thai military band begins the opening ceremony for COBRA GOLD 2004. Photo by SSgt. JoAnn S. Makinano, USAF

Maj. Gen. Emerson N. Gardner, then Director for Operations, U.S. Pacific Command, speaks at the opening ceremony. Photo by MSgt. James E. Lotz, USAF

A U.S. Air Force C-130 flies away after dropping its cargo on target over Ban Nong Song during the air delivery portion of the exercise. Photo by MSgt. Michael Farris, USAF

U.S. Army paratroopers exit the back of an MC-130 Combat Talon II aircraft during a high-altitude low-opening jump over Phitsanulok, Thailand. Photo by MSgt. Michael Farris, USAF

Thai soldiers enter a building to clear it during Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) training in Korat. Photo by SSgt. JoAnn S. Makinano, USAF

Thai soldiers provide cover fire during MOUT training. Photo by SSgt. JoAnn S. Makinano, USAF

A Thai Marine and a U.S. Marine build a fire to cook rice during the jungle training. Photo by PFC Daniel J. Klein, USMC

Under the watchful eye of a Thai Marine instructor, a U.S. Marine handles a cobra. Photo by PFC Daniel J. Klein, USMC

Assisted by Thai interpreter Seuson Tepjan, Saui Boohaii, 87, from Wat Boon Nak, Thailand, receives new reading glasses from U.S. Navy PO2 Carlos Sanchez. Photo by SSgt. Mikey Niman, USN

Thai and U.S. Marines work on building a school computer center in Rayong province. Photo by PFC Daniel J. Klein, USMC

Built by Thai and U.S. Marines during COBRA GOLD 2004, this finished computer center at a school in Rayong province will serve the children of Wat Boon Nak village. Photo by PFC Daniel J. Klein, USMC

A Thai soldier and a farmer teach a U.S. Army soldier how to plow a rice field in Thanon Hak. Photo by A1C LuCelia Nagel, USAF

Children at the Eastern Child Welfare Protection Institution in Rayong province play patty cake with U.S. Marine LCpl. Amber Johnston. Photo by 2nd Lt. Antony J. Andrious, USMC

Children at the Eastern Child Welfare Protection Institution joke with U.S. Marine Sgt. Hector Rivera. Photo by Spec. Steven J. Schneider, USA

U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Darryl N. Johnson addresses participants during the opening ceremony. Photo by MSgt. James E. Lotz, USAF

Royal Thai Army Maj. Gen. Nopparat Yodwimol, Thai combined Exercise Director, addresses participants. Photo by SSgt. JoAnn S. Makinano, USAF

Royal Thai Army Gen. Somdat Attananda, Supreme Commander, addresses participants. Photo by SSgt. Cherie A. Thurlby, USAF

U.S. Marines fire the M252 Mortar System during live-fire training at Combined Arms Range, Pak Thong Chai. Photo by MSgt. James E. Lotz, USAF

Thai soldiers secure the perimeter of a building. Photo by SSgt. JoAnn S. Makinano, USAF

A Thai soldier secures a room during the MOUT portion of the exercise. Photo by SSgt. JoAnn S. Makinano, USAF

A Thai Marine instructor teaches U.S. Marines about jungle survival, including what plants and fruits are edible and how to catch and cook animals. Photo by PFC Daniel J. Klein, USMC

Thai and U.S. troops evacuate a soldier with a simulated wound during a mass casualty evacuation drill. Photo by SSgt. Mikey Niman, USMC

Hundreds of Thai civilians wait for medical evaluation in Kohn Kaen during one of nine Medical Civic Action Projects. Photo by Spec. Steven J. Schneider, USA

Thai Air Force nurse Rampoei Choochote checks Dang Yiansong’s blood pressure. Photo by Spec. Steven J. Schneider, USA

A Thai man receives dental care. Photo by Spec. Steven J. Schneider, USA

The Deputy Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, Gen. Veerachai Iamsaad, and U.S. Ambassador Darryl N. Johnson tour Ban Poon Suk village during the dedication of a building built by Thai soldiers and U.S. Navy Seabees. The building will serve as a town hall for 12 villages. Photo by Spec. Sarah Wilkins, USA

Thai soldiers and U.S. Navy Seabees work together to build a school for a community in Ban Nam Yien. This is one of six construction projects built for the community as part of COBRA GOLD 2004. Photo by SSgt. JoAnn S. Makinano, USAF

Children listen to U.S. Air Force Maj. Tiffani Donahua during an English class at Surathampitak School. Photo by Spec. Steven J. Schneider, USA

Children at the Eastern Child Welfare Protection Institution joke with U.S. Marine Sgt. Hector Rivera. Photo by 2nd Lt. Antony J. Andrious, USMC