Lance Cpl. Alan Bundoc, left, and Pfc. Darrel Slaven, both with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, set up a communications link shortly after going ashore at Sattahip, Thailand, on Thursday from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex. The 3st MEU and the Essex are among the military units participating in Cobra Gold 2008, which is scheduled to end May 21. (Gabriel S. Weber / Courtesy photo U.S. Navy)
Cobra Gold is underway in Thailand.
In addition to 8,800 U.S. troops, forces from Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and Singapore are taking part in the annual exercise that kicked off Thursday, according to a news release. “Within the next 14 days, we shall see 14,373 personnel from our joint and combined armed forces working together,” Lt. Gen. Worapong Sanganetra, the Thai director of the exercise, said in the release.
Elements from Marine Corps Forces Pacific, U.S. Army Pacific, Pacific Air Force and Pacific Fleet are in Thailand.
Okinawa-based Marines from 3rd Marine Division, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, as well as the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group, operating out of Sasebo Naval Base in mainland Japan, are participating, military officials said.
The training throughout Thailand will include computer-simulated and field exercises, Marine spokesman 1st Lt. Judd Wilson said. Forces also will conduct 17 humanitarian and civic projects
“There is no better exercise than Cobra Gold in keeping our militaries ready to respond to the real-world priorities of supporting peace, stability, reconstruction, and humanitarian assistance,” James F. Entwistle, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, said in the news release.
The exercise is slated to end May 21.
