Multinational Cobra Gold Exercise starts Tuesday

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One of the largest Asia-Pacific military exercises involving U.S. Marines from Okinawa kicks off Tuesday at various locations around Thailand.

The recurring multinational and multi-service exercise, designed years ago by Thailand and the United Sates, will this year involve forces from Singapore, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia, in addition to the U.S. and Thailand. This year’s Cobra Gold Exercise will consist of a command post exercise, humanitarian and civic assistance projects, and a field training exercise.

Now in its 33^rd iteration, Cobra Gold is designed to advance regional security by exercising a robust multinational force from nations sharing common goals and security commitments in the Asia-Pacific region. The command post exercise and senior leader engagements sustain and reinforce the foundation and framework for a multinational force to respond rapidly and effectively to regional crises.

The Command Post Exercise will combine service members in a multinational force team that responds to a simulated scenario, executing a pre-developed operations plan. During the field training exercise, forces from Thailand, the United States and the Republic of Korea will conduct training designed to enhance interoperability and strengthen regional relationships. In other locations, military personnel from Thailand, the United States, Singapore, Japan, Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the People’s Republic of China will participate in humanitarian and civic assistance projects designed to improve the quality of life and local infrastructure for the Thai people, as well as to share medical best practices with the local population.

The 10-day exercise begins with opening ceremonies in Phitsanulok. An amphibious demonstration at Hat Yao is slated for February 14^th, followed by a Strategic Air Drop at Lop Buri on the 15^th. A Humanitarian Civic Assistance site dedication is scheduled for February 18^th at Phitsanulok. A Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise precedes the closing ceremonies at Ban Chan Krem on the 21^st.