Asia-Pacific Defense FORUM

Winter 1999-2000 Photos

Thai-U.S. Forces: Training Together

Major Thai-U.S. air, ground, naval and Marine forces train together in one of the largest military exercises in the Pacific - COBRA GOLD 99.

US Army troops receive training in Thai style offensive kicks as part of Thai hand-to-hand combat training.

MSgt. Suban Sappalert of the Royal Thai Army shows a soldier of the US 25th Infantry Division (Light) how to toss a net for fish as part of Thai jungle survival training.

A Royal Thai Marine instructs a US Marine how to pick up a snake during jungle survival training in COBRA GOLD 99.

Thai military jungle survival training includes how to cook available foods in the jungle, such as snakes and frogs.

A Thai Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicle during Thai-U.S. amphibious operations in COBRA GOLD 99.

An CH-46 helicopter prepares to lift off from the USS Dubuque (LPD-08) in support of exercise operations.

UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters pick up Thai and U.S. Army soldiers for a combined air assault operation in COBRA GOLD 99.

A formation of Royal Thai Air Force F-16s and F-5s fly over Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base during COBRA GOLD 99.

A U.S. Army dentist, Lt. Col. Mark McDonald, assisted by a Thai corpsman, extracts an infected tooth from a villager during medical/dental civic action operations.

Annual Thai-U.S. military training reinforces ties of friendship and cooperation that are among the oldest in Asia, while allowing each of the armed forces to learn from each other and to continually improve their warrior skills.

Gen. Mongkon Ampornpisit, Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, addresses Thai and US troops at the opening ceremony for COBRA GOLD 99.

A US Marine demonstrates his M240G Medium Machine Gun to Royal Thai Marines.

A US Army Special Forces NCO, Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick Douglas, helps a Thai paratrooper prior to a combined Thai-U.S. parachute jump.

Thai and US Marines practice defending an airfield at Samaeson Royal Thai Marine Base.

Royal Thai Marines disembark from a Thai Amphibious Assault Vehicle during an amphibious beach assault exercise in COBRA GOLD 99.

Aiding civilians with medical civic action programs is a regular feature of Thai-U.S. military exercises. Prescriptions are given to villagers after medical examinations during COBRA GOLD 99.

U.S. Air Force photographer MSgt. Raymond Conway joins Thai Air Force 103 Squadron pilot Sqdn. Ldr. Sathaporn Phummar to photograph an exercise air mission during COBRA GOLD 99.

U.S Pacific Command
HAPPENINGS

Ambassador Joseph W. Prueher is briefed by the U.S. Deputy Commander in Chief, Pacific, Lt. Gen. Randolph W. House, while en route to China as the new US envoy. Ambassador Prueher, who retired in February 1999 as a full admiral, is the former US Commander in Chief, Pacific.

More than 200,000 citizens visited the annual Friendship Festival hosted by the US Air Force as Yokota Air Base, Japan. More than 40 aircraft displays, a parachute team, live bands, fireworks, and food and recreational booths greeted Japanese visitors to acquaint them with the US Forces mission in Japan and to strengthen community relations.

Then Rear Adm. Chet Komonthiti, Deputy Commander, Royal Thai Marine Corps (now Vice Adm. and Commander), flood relief task force commander, receives donated US relief goods from Rear Adm. Timothy Keating, Commander of the USS Kitty Hawk Carrier Battle Group. The Joint US Military Advisory Group Thailand (JUSMAGTHAI) procured US Commander in Chief, Pacific-funded building materials and US Navy donated medical supplies for victims of floods in ThailandÕs Chanthaburi Province.

.....

.....