Cobra Gold 2011 soldiers storm the beach at Had Yao. 9,536 armed forces
from six countries are participating in Cobra Gold 2011, which began Feb
8.
Mass Communication
Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Casey H. Kyhl, USS Essex Public Affairs
Gulf Of Thailand (NNS) - The Essex Amphibious
Ready Group (ARG) began its part in the U.S-Thai sponsored joint,
multinational exercise Cobra Gold 2011 (CG 11) in the Gulf of Thailand,
Feb. 7.
The militaries of the Kingdom of Thailand, Singapore,
Japan, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea and Malaysia are working with
more than 7,200 U.S. service members at multiple locations throughout
Thailand to improve interoperability.
The exercise is designed to demonstrate the ability
of the involved militaries to rapidly deploy a joint task force to
conduct combined operations at sea and ashore.
“I think it is very important to renew our ties with
the Kingdom of Thailand and maintain our strong military working
relationship,” said Capt. Bradley Lee, commander, Amphibious Squadron
(PHIBRON) 11. “U.S. forces rarely act alone when responding to crises
and rendering humanitarian assistance. Exercises like CG 11 enhance our
ability to respond by letting the involved services learn each others’
philosophies and rehearse our integration.”
A
landing craft air cushion approaches the well deck of the
forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). (U.S. Navy
photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam M.
Bennett/Released)
During the exercise, the ARG is conducting naval
maneuvers and training evolutions with the Royal Thai Navy at sea, while
multinational forces collaborate in a full-scale, simulated amphibious
assault. CG 11 will also include a staff exercise, humanitarian civic
projects and field training exercises.
“Planning and coordination are very important during
exercises like this,” said Lee. “We have the people, the equipment and
the setting to make this a very successful undertaking. We can’t control
every aspect of the exercise, and that is why we will remain flexible.
I’m very confident that the team we have assembled will be able to carry
out the mission and perform well.”
Two Royal Thai Navy officers have been embarked
aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) since late January,
to assist with the planning of CG 11.
“It has been a pleasure having the Thai officers on
board,” said Lee. “They are professional, knowledgeable, and have helped
give us a better sense of situational awareness.”
The U.S. and the Kingdom of Thailand have been
working together for 178 years. CG 11 is the latest in a continuing
series of exercises designed to promote peace and security in the
Western Pacific.
“I’ve been a part of the Cobra Gold exercise before,
and I’m glad to be back in Thailand,” said Fire Controlman 3rd Class
Bryce R. Perkins, USS Essex. “The U.S. and Thailand have a lot to offer
one another, and I like being a part of something that demonstrates
that.”
The ARG consists of the 31st Marine Expeditionary
Unit (31st MEU) embarked aboard USS Essex (LHD 2), the amphibious
transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9) and the dock landing ship USS
Germantown (LSD 42).
“There are things that each of our partner nations do
well that we may not do as well and vise versa,” said Lee. “The main
reason we conduct exercises like Cobra Gold is to learn from our partner
nations. Sharing responsibilities and assets makes us a much more potent
force.”
CG 11 will conclude Feb. 18, at which point the Essex
ARG will continue its patrol in the Western Pacific. This year’s
exercise marks the 30th anniversary of the CG series.
The Essex Amphibious Ready Group reports to
Commander, Amphibious Force Seventh Fleet, headquartered in Okinawa,
Japan.
Lt.
j.g. Kevin Krmpotich, right, training officer aboard the amphibious
transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9), explains the function of a naval
firefighting thermal imager to Royal Thai Navy lieutenants Srikrung
Jai-in, center, and Lt. Kris Sombunsub during a general quarters drill
aboard Denver. Srikrung and Sombunsub are observing U.S. Navy ship
operations during Cobra Gold 2011. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass
Communication Specialist 1st Class Geronimo C. Aquino/Released)
