KORAT ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE BASE, Thailand -- Various units from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni began arriving here to participate in Exercise Cope Tiger, Feb. 10.
Marines from Marine Aircraft Group 12, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine Air Control Squadron 4, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 and Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 will be participating in the annual exercise which affords Marines the opportunity to train with pilots from the Royal Thai Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
Cope Tiger, which began Feb. 17, is a multilateral training exercise hosted by the RTAF. The training is a tool to foster inter-service and international relations, said Maj. William D. Shannon, MAG-12 detachment officer-in-charge. It also allows Marines from Iwakuni to strengthen bonds between the governments of the United States, Singapore and Thailand.
"During the training, the main goal will be to develop our aviation skills," said Shannon. "Also, to gain training valuable for us to perform against other countries' armed forces."
The actual exercise will be conducted until Feb. 28. Marines from the various units are excited to have the opportunity to train with the service members of Thailand and Singapore.
"I am glad to have the opportunity to represent the Marine Corps with air traffic control during this exercise," said Gunnery Sgt. Daniel F. Karakas, MACS-4 air traffic control tower liaison. "Thailand is a beautiful country with friendly people."
Karakas, a Westchester, Pa. native, said he enjoys speaking with the Thai service members and learning their "way of business."
"Korat is an excellent place for training," he said. "The Thai have a totally different way of dealing with air traffic control. We get to learn from them and they learn from us. If you keep an open mind, you realize that we all have the same mission and sometimes easier ways of doing things."
During the exercise, service members will be afforded the opportunity to visit Bangkok, shrines, enjoy various Thai cuisines and a Thai kickboxing match courtesy of the Single Marine Program. The chaplain is also offering a prayer group nightly to provide service members other alternatives for their free time.