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KORAT, Thailand
– “Now the auspicious moment has
arrived… I would like to declare the combined joint Exercise Cobra
Gold 2012 open.” These words were spoken by Gen. Sakol Sajjanit,
Deputy Chief of Royal Thai Defense Forces, who took part in the
opening ceremony which officially began Exercise Cobra Gold 2012.
The exercise is an annual multi-national
combined joint training exercise held throughout the Kingdom of
Thailand. It is the United States' largest multilateral exercise in
the Asia Pacific region and offers more than 20 participating
countries critical training opportunities to improve
interoperability in conducting multinational operations.
“I would like to thank the United States Government and the United
States Armed Forces, especially the United States Pacific Command
for co-hosting this year’s exercise, as well as all personnel,
organizations, and participating countries for their sacrifice and
devotion in making this exercise possible,” said Sajjanit.
In its 31st iteration, Exercise Cobra Gold demonstrates
multi-national commitment to allied forces in the Asia-Pacific
region and focuses on regional partnership, prosperity and security
commitments in the region.
Events during the exercise include a computer-simulated command-post
exercise, field training operations, and humanitarian and civic
assistance projects that increase the standard of living for the
Thai people in surrounding communities.
“Cobra Gold is much more than just an exercise,” said Lt. Gen.
Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., Commanding General III Marine Expeditionary
Force. “We have a challenging two weeks in front of us that will
build relationships between partnering nations and improve the
interoperability for forces across the range of military
operations.”
Participating nations in CG 12 include the U.S., Kingdom of
Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and the Republic of
Korea.
“We are very proud of our alliance with Thailand, and our alliances
and partnerships throughout Asia,” said Judith Beth Cefkin, Deputy
Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand. “These
relationships based on friendship, common goals and mutual respect
makes Cobra Gold the vital and vibrant exercise it is today.”
Glueck’s closing remarks challenged exercise participants to avoid
complacency and to maximize their efforts this Cobra Gold to
accomplish the goals set forth.
Exercise Cobra Gold 2012 is taking place throughout the Kingdom of
Thailand with event concluding on Feb 17. |
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