'Cobra Gold 2014' kicks off in Thailand

[webfact]

Thailand hosting international military drill



PHITSANULOK, 12 February 2014 (NNT) – The annual multilateral military drill, Cobra Gold 2014, has kicked off in Phitsanulok Province, with the armed forces of Thailand, USA, and other nations participating.

Military troops from Thailand, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia gathered at Camp Akatosorot in Phitsanulok to take part in an opening ceremony held to mark the official start of Exercise Cobra Gold 2014.

The exercise is aimed at improving the ability of nations to conduct and plan joint military operations as well as to build relationships between member states.

In addition to the seven countries attending the drill, at least twenty more countries have sent observers to this year's drill, which is focused on humanitarian assistance in a conflict situation, as well as disaster relief.

Miss Kristie Kenney, US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, said Cobra Gold was the world’s largest and most successful multilateral military exercise.

Around 10,000 military personnel are taking part in this annual exercise, which continues until February 21.


-- NNT 2014-02-12

[clockman]

Hope there is no live firing!

[Costas2008]

Tell that to the Thais

[NCFC]

Good thing. Keep the army busy.

[JeremyBowskill]

Every year I see this headline and every year I forget its a pointless joint exercise, not a promotion of an Indian beer best drunk with curry.

[geriatrickid]

this year's drill, which is focused on humanitarian assistance in a conflict situation, as well as disaster relief.

Ominous. Humanitarian assistance in a conflict situation.

Do the planners know something about Thailand's future needs that we don't?

[bigbamboo]

this year's drill, which is focused on humanitarian assistance in a conflict situation, as well as disaster relief.

Ominous. Humanitarian assistance in a conflict situation.

Do the planners know something about Thailand's future needs that we don't?

Thailand has a plan?

Edited February 12, 2014 by bigbamboo

[Publicus]

Some of my Thai friends fluent in English thought Cobra Gold was the name of an exciting new movie and wanted to see it right away. I chuckled while the disappointment was a real bust to them.

The military English is at least as good as the English of a diplomatic corps, sometimes better which is the case in most of the participating militaries as their officers train and study in the US from the time early in their careers they are pegged for rising through the officer corps to positions of senior command - US Army War College, US Command and General Staff College and the like.

The tall guy in the summer Navy whites is the chief cook and bottle officer of the US Pacific Command at Pearl Harbor. They too have an eternal summer. I don't know about you but I count four stars on each shoulder board.

Every one of the countries is getting huge headaches from China which is certain to be the second most important topic of conversation in the commanders lounge, not having a coup in Thailand being the foremost topic. The Thai general at the US admiral's right is gonna have both his hands and ears full.

Three ambassadors showing up aren't there for the sport of it either.

Beijing is one of the 20 approved observer governments to have senior commanders present (along with diplomats and other spies), so the conversations will be interesting - to say the least.

Adm Locklear Kicks Off 33rd Cobra Gold Exercise in Thailand

In a ceremony at Camp Akatosarot in Thailand today, Navy Admiral. Samuel J. Locklear III, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, kicked off the 33rd iteration of Exercise Cobra Gold.

Noting that Thailand is the oldest U.S. ally in the region – the U.S.-Thai alliance is entering its 181st year -- Locklear called Cobra Gold the Pacific’s signature exercise and one of the largest and most important multilateral exercises in which the United States participates.

“Together, we can build a common view on security interests,” he said, adding that through such bilateral and multilateral engagements, participating nations will improve and share understanding, and enhance trust.

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=121641

N.B. Japan and South Korea are consciously being kept just about as far apart as possible. Getting them to eat at the same table will be a military and diplomatic victory.

Edited February 12, 2014 by Publicus

[rogerdee123]

Yes ... we can expect the Chinese to throw another one of their mini tantrums now. .....

[JoeThePoster]

Around 10,000 military personnel are taking part in this annual exercise

How many "entertainment providers" does that equal to?

[DrTuner]

Used to be they came to Pattaya for R&R after the CG. Payday for bar girls.

[Lancelot]

Used to be they came to Pattaya for R&R after the CG. Payday for bar girls.

But the taxi mafia wouldn't let the US sailors in to town

[Jeremy50]

They should be doing something usefull, like driving the Chinese out of Tibet.

[mijan24]

Thailand one of the USA's oldest allies = must be referring to "post" WW2 surely ?

[GentlemanJim]

this year's drill, which is focused on humanitarian assistance in a conflict situation, as well as disaster relief.

Ominous. Humanitarian assistance in a conflict situation.

Do the planners know something about Thailand's future needs that we don't?

Hardly GK but even the slightest lateral thought would lead you to the South China Sea scenario.

[Tywais]

Yes ... we can expect the Chinese to throw another one of their mini tantrums now. .....

Really?

Chinese troops join US-Thailand Cobra Gold military exercises for the first time

BEIJING, Feb. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- China is participating for the first time in the joint US-Thailand annual military exercise named Cobra Gold 2014. The exercise has begun in Thailand.

Cobra Gold is the largest Asia-Pacific Military exercise, held in Thailand every year since 1982. This year’s drill will last 13 days, during which 17 Chinese soldiers will participate in various sections of the exercise.

xinhuanet

China Takes Part in Cobra Gold Military Drills

The annual multilateral military exercise Cobra Gold has kicked off in Thailand's Phitsanulok on Tuesday.

For the first time China is attending the multilateral military exercise, led by the United States and Thailand.

Chinese soldiers will join fellow soldiers from other nations to participate in joint humanitarian relief drills.

CRI's Xie Zhao has more.

A total of 17 Chinese soldiers, mainly from the Guangzhou Military Area Command, will participate in humanitarian relief drills beginning February 18th.

According to the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, the Chinese squad will also take part in command and coordination operations, engineering assistance, medical aid as well as discussions and exchanges of military medical sciences.

CRIEnglish

[Hedghog]

Had some of these troops in the neighbourhood last year.

They built an extension on the local primary school.

Not sure that is what they were expecting for their military exercise.

[Suradit69]

this year's drill, which is focused on humanitarian assistance in a conflict situation, as well as disaster relief.

Ominous. Humanitarian assistance in a conflict situation.

Do the planners know something about Thailand's future needs that we don't?

"Do the planners know something about Thailand's future needs that we don't?"

Looking at the world through farang colored spectacles again, hmm?

I think they're probably trying to establish links for possible future assistance FROM Thailand and ASEAN as the Eurozone and US economy continue to flounder.

Edited February 12, 2014 by Tywais
Copyright image removed

[sunshine51]

CG gives the Chinese something to watch while the participants

pat each others backs in a job well done. Not a bad show though.

[Doc46]

W>T>F> They should all join together and sort out all the Mobbers and all the corruption Than give the people a chance to a honest election and vote for a Government;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;PS ain't gonna happen;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;What the F was I thingking?

Edited February 12, 2014 by Doc46

[noikrit]

Lock up ya Daughters ! .......... Seriously though ... a nice bit of money injection into the country ...... I guess ...

[Benmart]

These exercises give each country the opportunity to train and coordinate communications, logistics and scenarios ranging from anti-piracy to natural disaster response. Disasters such as Tsunamis, nuclear reactor incidents, earthquakes, etc. will be responded to by the armed forces fom each of these countries. Not to train in advance would be unwise and the resulting chaos would add to the tragidy and death toll.

The naysayers and critics will find fault with these exercises, regardless of the intent. The critics may say "Its a waste of money", "Dog and pony show". After the disaster strikes, the same will say "Why didn't they train more", "Why weren't they ready"?

[bunnaag]

hopefully they pay their bills in the restaurants

[bonobo]

My most enduring Cobra Gold memory was at a dinner for the senior officers at a Korat restaurant. The Thai general was hosting, and along with everything else, he provided a few well-dressed and well-mannered English-speaking young woman to greet the guests. After dinner, some of the men asked the women to dance, and when the US general asked whose wives they were, he was told they were hired as hostesses. I'm still not sure what the US general thought the women were there for, but he got enraged, said "American officers don't mingle with those kind of women," and stormed off, ordering all the Americans to leave. Usually, when a general gives an order, people obey, but not one officer followed him out, and one colonel made sure to apologize to the Thai general, inferring that the American general was drunk (the general was actually a teetotaller.).

None of that had anything to do with the exercise, but that has stuck with me over the years.

[zydeco]

How much rice are those soldiers going to be able to eat?

[sgtsabai]

The more you sweat in peace the less you bleed in war, hopefully. Let us hope they learn their tradcraft well and never have to use it. The Chinese won't see anything they aren't supposed to see. CG has been happening for years and the sky hasn't fallen yet. These troops aren't like we were, they are well behaved and the young ones scared shitless from the propaganda they receive before being allowed shore leave. They are told every woman here has aids and anybody that tries to 'talk' to you is a spy, jeez-give me a break. That bit of info came from a USMC Captain (Mustang-yes they still exist) and his first shirt I had occasion to tip a few with, one old USMC to another. As an added 'benefit' they now get court martials if caught with a prostitute, sick do-gooder policy. Yes, some of the ladies will benefit from their arrival but not near as many as one would think. Many of the troops are on starboard/port liberty with the lower ranks having to be back to base by midnight. From what I've observed, some of the most well behaved people I have seen. They do a lot of community service work while here. If you happen to met some just say hello, buy them a beer, ah might better look at the eyes if you think you want to start some shit, you can tell where they have been by the eyes, you Vets will understand.

Semper Fi

[Benmart]

My most enduring Cobra Gold memory was at a dinner for the senior officers at a Korat restaurant. The Thai general was hosting, and along with everything else, he provided a few well-dressed and well-mannered English-speaking young woman to greet the guests. After dinner, some of the men asked the women to dance, and when the US general asked whose wives they were, he was told they were hired as hostesses. I'm still not sure what the US general thought the women were there for, but he got enraged, said "American officers don't mingle with those kind of women," and stormed off, ordering all the Americans to leave. Usually, when a general gives an order, people obey, but not one officer followed him out, and one colonel made sure to apologize to the Thai general, inferring that the American general was drunk (the general was actually a teetotaller.).

None of that had anything to do with the exercise, but that has stuck with me over the years.

Perhaps the dear General forgot his manners and assumed the hostesses were akin to his own, dark images hiding in the lurid recesses of his past.

From my career in the Army, I learned rank is not an indicator of intelligence or ability, but merely a designator of position.

[Benmart]

You mean to tell me that these young guys could get slung in the brig for getting a shot of leg? No wunder our great leader is pushing at getting more faggots in the service. Ask and ye shall be told.

Faggots? I'm proud to have served 20 years in the Army and a person would have been worse for wear calling me that. However, I understand that there are some that lack the moral and physical courage and who use this forum out of fear of a face-to-face discourse.

"We" have always been there and always will be, to protect your right to hate and to be a bigot. Curious. How many years did you serve your country in uniform? Jail uniforms do not count by the way.

Edited February 12, 2014 by Benmart

[Benmart]

The more you sweat in peace the less you bleed in war, hopefully. Let us hope they learn their tradcraft well and never have to use it. The Chinese won't see anything they aren't supposed to see. CG has been happening for years and the sky hasn't fallen yet. These troops aren't like we were, they are well behaved and the young ones scared shitless from the propaganda they receive before being allowed shore leave. They are told every woman here has aids and anybody that tries to 'talk' to you is a spy, jeez-give me a break. That bit of info came from a USMC Captain (Mustang-yes they still exist) and his first shirt I had occasion to tip a few with, one old USMC to another. As an added 'benefit' they now get court martials if caught with a prostitute, sick do-gooder policy. Yes, some of the ladies will benefit from their arrival but not near as many as one would think. Many of the troops are on starboard/port liberty with the lower ranks having to be back to base by midnight. From what I've observed, some of the most well behaved people I have seen. They do a lot of community service work while here. If you happen to met some just say hello, buy them a beer, ah might better look at the eyes if you think you want to start some shit, you can tell where they have been by the eyes, you Vets will understand. Semper Fi

I live here in Pattaya and agree. They are well behaved and cause far fewer problems than the tourists passing through. Their humanitarian work is well documented and very much appreciated by all that live here.

1Sgt (Ret)

[Loles]

And who is the blue dressed lady? A lost golf player ?