Bangkok - Cobra Gold, an annual Thai-US military exercise
involving more than 11,000 troops, kicked off Wednesday in northern
Thailand, marking nearly 30 years of the joint manoeuvres.
'Cobra Gold is unparalleled in preparing our militaries for the
real-world priorities of peace support, stability and reconstruction,
humanitarian assistance, and combat operations,' US deputy chief of
mission James Entwistle said in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand.
Thailand and the US have held joint military exercises for the
past 28 years, demonstrating the importance the US places on the
kingdom as a strategic partner.
This year's exercise will involve 7,000 US soldiers and 4,000 Thai
troops from the army, navy and air force.
The exercise, which has taken on peacekeeping operations in recent
years, will also include troops from Singapore, Indonesia and Japan
as well as observers from a dozen other countries.
'This week, Thai, American, Singaporean, Indonesian and Japanese
service members will take part in a staff planning exercise designed
to enhance skills needed for peace and stability operations,'
Entwistle said.
'This is especially important in an age where all of us have
growing commitments to the United Nations to support peace
operations,' he added.
During the first week of the exercises, Thai, US, Japanese,
Singaporean, and Indonesian specialists will undertake humanitarian
projects to assist Thai citizens in Chiang Mai, Tak and Sukhothai
provinces.
Elsewhere, Thai and US forces plan to conduct more conventional
military exercises using equipment from the US, which is the main
supplier for the Thai military.
'This will include live fire and maneuver training involving US
Army Strykers and US Marine Corps Light Armored Vehicles,' Entwistle
said. 'Naval forces will train together in the Gulf of Thailand.'
USA
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