Story by Sgt. Matthew Bragg, III Marine Expeditionary Force
Exercise Cobra Gold is the one of the largest military exercises in the Indo-Pacific region. This is the 37th iteration of the exercise and is co-sponsored by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the U.S. Armed Forces. The exercise represents the longstanding friendship between the Thai and the American people.
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Multinational forces stand in formation during the opening ceremony of Exercise Cobra Gold 18 at U-Tapao International Airport, Ban Chang district, Rayong province, Thailand, Feb. 13, 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Rebecca L. Floto)
https://youtu.be/7yBnxuBZ4RA
The objective of the exercise is to advance regional security and ensure effective responses to regional crises by bringing together a robust multinational force to address shared goals and security commitments in the Indo-Pacific region. Exercise Cobra Gold 18 supports a stronger military relationship between the Royal Thai Armed Forces and other nations.
This year, Exercise Cobra Gold has seven countries fully participating: Thailand, United States of America, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Republic of Korea and Singapore.
This year the exercise will take place from Feb. 13-23 and will focus on three major components; a Command Post Exercise (CPX), Field Training Exercise (FTX), and Humanitarian Civic Assistance (HCA) exercise.
https://youtu.be/f0hc0TRswTQ
Cobra Gold seeks to improve the capabilities of participating nations to plan and conduct combined and joint operations; build relationships among participating nations across the region; and improve interoperability over a range of activities, including enhancing maritime security and responding to large-scale natural disasters.
For more information, photos, videos and stories about Cobra Gold, including past iterations, please visit the Cobra Gold public web page: www.dvidshub.net/feature/CobraGold or official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ExerciseCobraGold.
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Royal Thai Navy sailors work alongside U.S. Navy Seabees and Singapore Army soldiers for a construction project at Somboonnaram School in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 in Rayong province, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 8, 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Justin Huffty)
For more Cobra Gold 18 stories:
U.S. Navy, Royal Thai Navy, and Republic of Korea Navy Underwater Construction Teams Work Together
Somboonaram School Sports Day