Royal Thai Marines move
up Hat Yao beach during an amphibious assault rehearsal for exercise
Cobra Gold 2013 Feb. 13. The amphibious assault combined the
capabilities of U.S. Company A, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion,
5th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Royal Thai
Marines in a bilateral attack as part of this year’s Exercise Cobra Gold
exercises.
By Lance Cpl. Codey Underwood,
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit
Hat Yao, Kingdom of Thailand -
Drenched in salty water, more than a dozen amphibious assault vehicles
cut through the white sand and climb their way out of the surf. Steel
doors on the rear of the vehicle steadily lower, revealing scores of
United States and Royal Thai Marines prepared for a fight.
Marines and Sailors with
Company A., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment,
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provide security along a road during an
amphibious assault for exercise Cobra Gold 2013 Feb. 14. (Photo by Lance
Cpl. Katelyn Hunter)
Marines and Sailors with Company
A., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 31st
Marine Expeditionary Unit, executed an amphibious assault alongside
Royal Thai Marines here, Feb. 14. The assault was part of exercise Cobra
Gold 2013, an annual multinational training event that is co-hosted by
the Kingdom of Thailand and the U.S.
Marines and Sailors move
through the jungle towards their objective during an amphibious assault
as part of exercise Cobra Gold 2013 Feb. 14. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Codey
Underwood)
“We got to see the similarities
and differences between us and our Thai counterparts,” said Staff Sgt.
Rick J. Meyers, a platoon sergeant with Company A., BLT 1/5. 31st MEU,
and a native of a Riverbank, Calf. “This assault provided us with a
really good opportunity to refine our tactics alongside theirs.”
The assault began with two Marine F/A-18D Hornet fighter jets, a UH-1Y
Huey helicopter and an AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter simulating
preliminary bombardments on the beach with the aid of pyrotechnics.
Afterward, a squad of Royal Thai Marine paratroopers dropped onto a
landing zone while the bilateral assault team approached the beach.
Both U.S. and Thai amphibious assault vehicles made landfall at the same
time, projecting a combined force of more than 300 international Marines
within seconds. The Royal Thai Marines moved forward with the confidence
of a force on their home turf, while the U.S. Marines seamlessly
adjusted to the challenges of a new environment.
An amphibious assault
vehicle from Company A., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th
Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, climbs on to a beach
during an amphibious assault for exercise Cobra Gold 2013 Feb. 14.
(Photo by Lance Cpl. Codey Underwood)
“It is a challenging task to
maneuver your team around all the jungle,” said Lance Cpl. Glenn T.
Howard, a squad leader with Company A., BLT 1/5, 31st MEU, and a native
of Flint, Mich. “It is a unique experience when you are thrown into a
jungle environment, surrounded by natural obstacles and given a mission
to assault an objective.”
The unique terrain and climate provided valuable experience to the
Marines of Company A., while the Royal Thai Marines gained insight on
the tried and tested amphibious doctrine of the U.S. Marines.
“We really enjoyed training with the U.S. Marines today and benefit
through shared tactics,” said Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Tanin
Surarak, a crew chief with Amphibious Assault Vehicle Division, Royal
Thai Marine Corps.
Marines and Sailors
sprint out of an amphibious assault vehicle during an amphibious
assault. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Codey Underwood)
Cobra Gold is an annual exercise
that includes numerous multilateral events ranging from amphibious
assaults to non-combatant evacuation operations. The training aims to
improve interoperability between the United States, the Kingdom of
Thailand, and many other participating countries.
The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the
Marine Corps’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.
