BAN CHAN KHREM, Thailand -- U.S. Marines, Thai Marines and Republic of Korea Marines all combined for an ultimate show of Marine Corps strength and skill during exercise Cobra Gold 2010, an exercise demonstrating joint and multinational capabilities and improving interoperability between the United States, Thailand and the Republic of Korea at Ban Chan Khrem, Thailand, Feb. 6.
The exercise commenced Feb. 1 and is a regularly scheduled joint/combined exercise in the continuing series of U.S.– Thai military exercises designed to ensure regional peace and strengthen the ability of the Royal Thai Armed Forces to defend Thailand or respond to regional contingencies.
Cobra Gold 2010 differs from previous years and is historical due to the Republic of Korea’s Marine Corps involvement in the annual exercise.
“This is a huge importance,” said Maj. Victor Chin, executive officer for Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Okinawa, Japan. “It is the first time we are working with the Thai’s Marine Corps and Republic of Korea’s Marine Corps in the same area.”
Although the main body of Iwakuni Marines were deployed to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, the rest of the Pacific Marines participating in the exercise were deployed to alternate bases and stations such as Ban Chan Khrem.
Ban Chan Khrem is located a few hours outside Korat and supports some of the ground elements of Cobra Gold 2010.
“It’s the only live-fire range for the Thai Marine Corps,” said Chin.
It has multiple helicopter landing zones as well as open ranges where Marines of all three nations can practice with a multitude of weapons and explosives.
Ban Chan Khrem is highly important to the mission because it allows all three Marine Corps to live side by side, eat together, work together and, most importantly, overcome any cultural differences and communication barriers.
The training being conducted at Ban Chan Khrem demonstrates U.S., Thai and Republic of Korea’s commitment to peace and stability in the Pacific region.
“This is great training,” said Chin. “The top three Marine Corps’ working together is history in the making.”