Crews from five U.S. Navy ships participating in the annual Cobra Gold joint military exercise will be in Pattaya periodically throughout February.
The Ministry of Interior told Chonburi Province officials that the USNS Charles Drew, USNS Maj. Stephen W. Pless, MV C Champion, USNA 1st Lt. Jack Lummus, and USS Ashland will all be deployed to Thailand for the war games, which are co-hosted with Thailand and joined by several East Asian nations.
The Military Sealift Command vessel C-Champion was due to depart Juksamet Pier at the Sattahip Naval Base on Feb. 6. The Charles Drew has been on docked at Sriracha Pier and will continue to provide logistics services until Feb. 9.
This year’s Cobra Gold kicks off Feb. 9.
The Maj. Stephen W. Pless has been at Juksamet Pier and will remain through Feb. 24. The 1st Lt. Jack Lummus will be based at the Sattahip base until Feb. 28.
The Ashland, a dock landing ship, will be in the area until Feb. 21 when it finishes its assignment with Cobra Gold.
Chonburi officials welcomed crewmembers to visit Pattaya, saying it will promote good relationships with the U.S. and bring peace and stability.
