U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Kristie Kenney,
left, poses with Thai Army Gen. Yuthana Phagpolngam, deputy chief of
Defense Forces for the Royal Thai Army, during the opening ceremony of
exercise Cobra Gold 13 in Chiang Mai, Feb. 11. Cobra Gold includes
development projects such as building schools & providing medical care
throughout Thailand. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Catherine
Sinclair/Released)
Chiang Mai - The Monday, Feb. 11 opening ceremony for
Exercise Cobra Gold 2013 in Chiang Mai marks beginning of the 32nd
iteration of the largest multinational exercise in the Asia-Pacific
region.
Service members from 15 nations attended the ceremony. The military
representatives are participating in Cobra Gold to develop greater
interoperability among forces, improve relationships and further develop
the ability to solve regional challenges.
U.S. Navy Adm. Samuel J.
Locklear, III, the commander of U.S. Pacific Command, addresses
representatives from multiple nations during the opening ceremony of
Exercise Cobra Gold 2013 in Chiang Mai, Feb. 11. Multinational
involvement in Exercise Cobra Gold 2013 demonstrates the commitment
between partner nations to building military-to-military
interoperability with and to supporting peace and stability in the
Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Catherine
Sinclair/Released)
The event was presided over by a delegation of Thai
and U.S. leaders, all expressing their excitement about the continued
success of exercise Cobra Gold.
“As
you know, Cobra Gold has become a truly multinational exercise,” said
Royal Thai Army Lt. Gen. Tarnchaiyan Srisuwan, the Thai-directed lead of
CG 13 and director of Joint Operations for the Royal Thai Armed Forces.
“Its size is growing ever larger, in terms of the number of the parties
participating and in every nation and throughout the world. We will
address those military operations other-than-war, such as peace-support
operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. These allow the
nations to work close to enhance interoperability.”
The exercise, which ends Feb. 21, will improve the capability to plan
and conduct combined-joint operations and will provide an opportunity
for partner nations to build relationships and improve interoperability
across the range of military operations, added Srisuwan.
“It is critical to building our multinational coordination,” said U.S.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear, III, commander of U.S. Pacific Command.
“Our interoperability with all our partners in the region allows us to
collectively be able to respond to crises and to protect the peace and
prosperity of all of our people.”
CG 13 is designed to advance regional security and ensure effective
response to regional crises by exercising a robust multinational force
from nations sharing common goals and security commitments in the
Asia-Pacific region.
“When you train together, talk together, plan together … I know that if
a disaster strikes my country or a neighboring country you will all be
there,” said Kristie A. Kenney, U.S. Ambassador to Thailand. “You’ll be
there at once because whether it’s flooding in Thailand, a typhoon in
the Philippines or a tsunami in Indonesia, you know because you’ve
worked together how to respond immediately and effectively to save
lives. As a civilian, I know that makes us safer, more productive and
more prosperous.”
Exercise Cobra Gold provides a platform for participating nations, which
includes Thailand, the U.S., Singapore, Japan, Republic of Korea,
Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as observers from other countries in the
Pacific, to promote regional prosperity, security and cooperation among
partner militaries.
“Every citizen of every nation in this region has a stake in their
security and should be interested in what happens here at Cobra Gold,”
said Locklear. “I hope that we all continue to work together for the
betterment of peace and prosperity, it’s really our only choice. So,
forward together we will meet the challenges and forge a better future
for this region and the world.”
The exercise includes humanitarian and civic assistance projects, a
staff exercise and field training exercises. Joint and multinational
training is vital to maintaining the readiness and interoperability of
all participating military forces.
“Our relationship is strong and very important to both countries and
provides a solid foundation for continued regional peace and security,”
said Thai Army Gen. Yuthana Phagpolngam, deputy chief of Defense Forces
for the Royal Thai Army. “I would like to emphasize friendship, which is
another objective of this exercise, and I would like us all to learn to
appreciate our different cultures with all our counterparts.”
Participation in Cobra Gold demonstrates the commitment of attendees to
building military-to-military relationships and strengthening the
long-standing ties with partner nations.
“Whether you’re a participant or an observer, whether you have been here
32 years, or if this is your first year, you’re being here demonstrates
your country’s resolve to peace and stability. In this region and the
world,” concluded Locklear.
Ed’s note: This year’s Cobra Gold exercises will be based out of
Phitsanulok. However, as always, the sea based exercises will take place
here on the Eastern Seaboard, out of the Royal Thai Navy Base in
Sattahip.