NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand -- Members of the Royal Thai Air Force and U.S.Marines and sailors worked together during a combined community relations event at Nakhon Ratchasima Punyanukul School in Nakhon Ratchasima, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 11 during exercise Cobra Gold 2014.
Service members participating in CG 14 played games and had the opportunity to interact with the local children. CG 14 is a Thailand-sponsored multinational exercise that aims at enhancing and increasing interoperability between partners.
“It was a unique and amazing experience to have a combined joint community relations project with the Royal Thai Air Force in their community,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Travis E. Coffey, deputy chaplain for Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “It solidifies our military partnership in a practical, meaningful and tangible way.”
Some students introduced themselves by showing off their dance moves before everyone got together to perform “The Chicken Dance.”
Throughout the event, Royal Thai Air Force members could see how service members in another country performed outside of their military occupation specialty.
“I feel honored to be able to work alongside with U.S. service members,” said Flight Lt. Rungroj Pomwatthanamongkol, a pilot with Squadron 401, Wing 4, Royal Thai Air Force. “To see their professionalism outside of military training and in the real world is amazing. It’s great to be able to share this humanitarian relations event and to create a relationship with everyone.”
Once the games had ceased, the service members spent their last moments sharing treats and interacting with children. Staff from the school ended the day by presenting gifts to both U.S. service members and members of the Royal Thai Air Force.
“I’m thankful that the Royal Thai Air Force service members and the leadership of Marine commands made it a priority to not only combine efforts in the tactical measures, but into community relation projects as well,” said Coffey.