Armed forces leave their
transport ship and head for Had Yao Beach.
Patcharapol Panrak
Thai, American and South Korean forces “assaulted”
Sattahip’s Had Yao Beach, practicing amphibious-assault tactics during
the annual Cobra Gold joint military exercise.
Deputy Royal Thai Army Commander in Chief Adm.
Yuthana Fakpholngam was among the top military officials from a host of
nations observing as nearly 10,000 men carried out the mock assault.
The U.S. this year has 8,948 men and women
participating in Cobra Gold. Thailand tasked 13,180 personnel to join
and South Korea sent 324. Others actively engaged are Singapore,
Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan. Ten other nations have sent observers.
Amphibious Squadron commander Rear Adm. Chochat
Krathet said the training helps allied forces work better in unison and
noted that this was the second time South Korea has sent more than 300
forces.
Another benefit, he said, was the U.S. decision to
allow other nations to utilize some of its advanced weaponry and share
tactics than can be adopted by other nations.
Troops wait for the signal
to proceed.
After disembarking from
the amphibious vehicles, armed forces make their way up the beachhead.
Troops take up defensive
positions along the shoreline.
