DTN News - 'COBRA GOLD' MILITARY EXERCISE: China Takes Part In Asia's Largest Military Drill

DTN News - 'COBRA GOLD' MILITARY EXERCISE: China Takes Part In Asia's Largest Military Drill

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources CCTV News

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 24, 2015: For the first time, China is taking part in Asia’s largest military exercise. The annual drill, "Cobra Gold", will involve more than 9,000 troops from the U.S. and six other countries from the region. They will participate in military, humanitarian and civic activities in various parts of Thailand until February 21st.

When the 33rd "Cobra Gold" multinational military exercise is over in a few days time, more than 50 families of Wat Ta Takien School in Thailand's province of Phitsanulok would be extremely happy. They will have a new one-storey multipurpose building for their children. It will be the outcome of four-week joint effort of Chinese, U.S. and Thai soldiers as part of engineering civic assistance projects under this year's exercise.

"There are no boundaries between the nations participating in this military exercise in terms of providing assistance to civilians. Having different nations work together gives us a chance to get to know each other and gain more knowledge," said Yang Bin of the People's Liberation Army.

For the local Thais, this would be the most tangible result of the region's largest military exercise.

China has been an observer in "Cobra Gold" since 2002 but has never taken part in the exercises until now. Although the role of the Chinese troops is limited to humanitarian drills, including providing engineering support and medical aid, many believe that their participation will boost military relations between China and ASEAN.

"In terms of cooperation between the military of the super powers, the U.S. and China, the operating personnel have developed good relationships with each other," said Col. Charnchai Romyen of Royal Thai Army. "With eight countries participating, the exercise will increase regional security, which I think is a great start."

Over the past three decades, "Cobra Gold" has evolved to include disaster relief and rescue operations.

While the ravages of tsunamis, earthquakes and floods have focused much of "Cobra Gold" on practicing humanitarian assistance efforts in recent years, simulated precision strikes and live fire exercises are a reminder of what militaries have always been designed to do. 
And this may see China's participation in the coming years ahead go through a transformation process to deeper and more challenging roles.

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*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources CCTV News
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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Cobra Gold 2011 Kicks Off In Thailand

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Cobra Gold 2011 Kicks Off In Thailand

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Gunnery Sgt. Cindy Fisher, III MEF - Globalsecurity

(NSI News Source Info) CHIANG MAI, Kingdom of Thailand - February 15, 2011: The opening ceremony for Exercise Cobra Gold 2011 in Chiang Mai Feb. 7, 2011 highlighted the multinational nature of the exercise as well as the many benefits that occur when partner nations train together and look for effective solutions to common challenges.

This is the first year Malaysian troops will join the armed forces of Thailand, Republic of Singapore, Japan, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Korea and the U.S. for this exercise, the largest multinational exercise in the world, said Judith B. Cefkin, the U.S. deputy chief of mission, U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand, during her remarks at the ceremony. “This is a significant event. Cobra Gold is truly an international exercise,” said Thai Lt. Gen. Surapun Wongthai, exercise director, during his opening remarks.

This year’s exercise has brought 24 nations together, Wongthai added. In addition to the participating nations, observing nations include the State of Brunei, People’s Republic of China, Republic of India, Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic, Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, Russian Federation and Republic of South Africa.

Several additional nations are also participating in the Multinational Planning Augmentation Team working in conjunction with Cobra Gold events.

Nearly 13,000 military personnel, about 7,300 of them American troops, will participate this year.

“Cobra Gold is much more than an exercise; it is a major contributor to regional security,” said Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., exercise deputy commander and commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Glueck attributed the success of past multinational humanitarian efforts such as the response to the Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami in the Indian Ocean to lessons learned during Cobra Gold exercises.

In the tsunami, “over 230 were killed, over 125,000 were injured, 45,000 missing and 1.7 million were displaced,” Glueck said

In less than four days, a coalition task force headquarters was being established “in Utapao to direct the regional response to this crisis. This could only be accomplished through the results of previous Cobra Gold exercises and the relationships established,” he said.

Over the years, Cobra Gold has grown from the partnership between the United States and Thailand and expanded to include other nations in the region, said Cefkin.

Thailand and the U.S. have a history of cooperation.

The signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce March 20, 1833, formalized the two countries’ relationship and makes Thailand the U.S.’s oldest ally in Asia. Thailand is one of five major non-NATO treaty allies the U.S. has in the region.

The exercise today strengthens military-to-military cooperation and better prepares participating militaries to respond to future crisis, according to Thai Gen. Piroon Paewpolsong, Royal Thai Armed Forces deputy chief of defense forces.

Cobra Gold 2011 will consist of three main components: a staff exercise, field training exercise events and numerous humanitarian and civic assistance projects throughout Thailand.

For the first time, the staff exercise will have a single headquarters element, thereby ensuring participating nations are equal partners throughout the staff exercise’s future operations planning, said Cefkin.

Field training exercise events will include a multination amphibious assault Feb. 10, 2011, in which Thai, Korean and U.S. will participate. Live-fire exercises and other training events are also scheduled to take place.

There are 17 humanitarian assistance projects, eight engineering projects and nine medical visits scheduled for remote locations throughout Thailand, which will improve the quality if life in these areas, Cefkin said. These visits also allow troops to hone military skills needed for future humanitarian assistance deployments, she said.

The first of the engineering projects began Jan. 17, 2011, at Pa Ka Mai School in Tak province where U.S. Navy Seabees and Thai Army engineers are building a new school building. The building is scheduled to be completed Feb. 20, 2011.

The first medical civic assistance program visit took place at Don Maung Rae School in Chanthaburi Feb. 5, 2011, where doctors, dentists and veterinarians treated their respective patients.

“Cobra Gold 11 is far more than an exercise; it is truly a dress rehearsal for future responses,” Glueck said.

Cobra Gold, set to end Feb. 18, is a regularly scheduled, annual training exercise.

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

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DTN News: Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) To Join Thai Cobra Gold Military Exercise

DTN News: Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) To Join Thai Cobra Gold Military Exercise

Source: DTN News By Roger Smith

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - June 4, 2010: Malaysia will take part in the Cobra Gold joint military exercise by Thailand and the US armed forces from next year. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia’s participation in the bi-annual military exercise was agreed upon during his meeting with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates in Pentagon last week. “Following the agreement, Malaysia will join the exercise as a participant. “We will benefit directly in terms of using the latest and most sophisticated military techniques and strategies available,” Zahid told reporters after the launch of his ministry’s transformation day here yesterday. Other participating nations in the joint multi-lateral military exercise are Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Indonesia, while more than 20 countries would take part as observers. He said Gates also agreed to work with Malaysia in the upgrading of the Royal Malaysian Air Force Nuri helicopter and the Hercules C-130 transport aircraft after 2014, as well as to intensify training for Malaysian armed forces personnel in the United States. “The MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) programme of the aircraft are now being carried out by Airod and ATSC (Aerospace Technologies Systems Corpo-ration). We will take over the programme by 2014. “We will also acquire the Airbus A-400M transport aircraft by 2012,” he added. Zahid said that 25 US defence industry companies had agreed in principle to invest in the Defence Industrial Park in Sungkai, Perak, following his meeting with captains of US defence industry. He said it was anticipated that an estimated US$2.5bil (RM8.1bil) in investments would flow in for the park.

Malaysia's armed forces, which encompasses three major branches, originate from the formation of local military forces in the first half of the 20th century, during British colonial rule of Malaya and Singapore prior to Malaya's independence in 1957. The branches have undergone several restructuring, but fundamentally includes the army, navy and air force. The role of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) is to defend the sovereignty and strategic interests of Malaysia from all forms of threat. It is responsible to assist the civilian authorities to overcome all international threats, preserve public order, assist in natural disasters and participate in national development programs. It is also sustaining and upgrading its capabilities in the international sphere in order to uphold the national foreign policy of being involved under the guidance of the United Nations (UN). *This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

DTN News: Cobra Gold 2010 Joint Exercise February 1-11, 2010 In Thailand

DTN News: Cobra Gold 2010 Joint Exercise February 1-11, 2010 In Thailand *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) BANGKOK Thailand - February 1, 2010: The armed forces of Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Republic of Korea, Indonesia, and the United States today announced their participation in the Cobra Gold joint military exercise in Thailand from February 1-11, 2010. Cobra Gold is a regularly scheduled joint and coalition multi-national exercise hosted annually by the Kingdom of Thailand. A U.S. Army contingent marches during the opening ceremony of the annual joint "Cobra Gold 2010" (CG10) military exercise at U-tapao airport in Rayong province February 1, 2010. About 14,073 soldiers from six countries, Thailand, U.S. , Singapore Indonesia, Japan and South Korea are participating in the three-week military exercise.

Cobra Gold 2010 (CG10) is the latest in a continuing series of exercises designed to promote regional peace and security. This exercise marks the 29th anniversary of this regionally significant training event. U.S. Ambassador Eric G. John said at the CG10 press conference that “Cobra Gold is the United States’ largest military cooperative effort in the Pacific region and is a clear signal of U.S. commitment to the security of our friends and allies in the Asia-Pacific region.”

U.S. ambassador to Thailand Eric G. John (centre R) speaks during the opening ceremony as Thailand's Deputy Chief of Defense Forces Admiral Wallop Kerdphol (centre L) listens at the annual joint "Cobra Gold 2010" (CG10) military exercise at U-tapao airport in Rayong province, February 1, 2010. About 14,073 soldiers from six countries, Thailand, U.S. , Singapore Indonesia, Japan and South Korea are participating in the three-week military exercise. “Cobra Gold provides unique training opportunities for the participating nations, while also promoting relationship-building between militaries and local communities….While troops are honing skills on the ground, in the air, and in the waters around Thailand, service members from the United States, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore, will participate in a multi-national peacekeeping scenario. Thai soldiers carry national flags as they participate in the opening ceremony of the annual joint "Cobra Gold 2010" (CG10) military exercise at U-tapao airport in Rayong province, February 1, 2010. About 14,073 soldiers from six countries, Thailand, U.S. , Singapore Indonesia, Japan and South Korea are participating in the three-week military exercise.

At the same time, humanitarian assistance projects will improve the quality of life in Thai villages, while allowing troops the opportunity to develop skills for future peacekeeping or humanitarian assistance deployments.” Training will consist of a computer-simulated command post exercise (CPX), field training exercises linked to the CPX, and humanitarian and civic assistance projects. The training aims to improve the Pacific Command’s ability to conduct joint and multi-national operations and increase multi-national forces interoperability. The computer-simulated command post exercise will combine Thai, U.S., Singaporean, Japanese, Indonesian, and South Korean participants in a coalition task force (CTF). Thai, U.S., Singaporean, Japanese, Indonesian, South Korean, and United Nations force staff (UNF) will participate in the field training designed around the United Nations multi-national peace support operations scenario. Thailand, the U.S., Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, and South Korea will participate in humanitarian and civic assistance projects.

Cobra Gold Military Exercise - Joint Forces #4

Cobra Gold Military Exercise - Joint Forces #4

(NSI News Source Info) February 15, 2009: A U.S. Marines catches a cobra with his bare hands during a jungle survival exercise with Thai Marines as part of "Cobra Gold 09" east of Bangkok February 14, 2009. Thailand launched its annual war games on February 4 with troops from the United States, Japan, Singapore and Indonesia linking up with Thai forces for two weeks of joint military exercises.

Cobra Gold Military Exercise - Joint Forces #3

Cobra Gold Military Exercise - Joint Forces #3

(NSI News Source Info) February 13, 2009: Thai marines walk up to the shore during an amphibious assault exercise as part of the Cobra Gold 09 joint military exercise at a military base in Chonburi Province, east of Bangkok February 13, 2009. Thailand launched its annual war games on February 4 with troops from the United States, Japan, Singapore and Indonesia linking up with Thai forces for two weeks of joint military exercises.

Cobra Gold Military Exercise - Joint Forces #2

Cobra Gold Military Exercise - Joint Forces #2

(NSI News Source Info) February 11, 2009: Cobra Gold 09 Combined/Joint Information Bureau, U.S. Seaman Christopher Smith from Washington, D.C., directs a Landing Craft as it departs from the beach after transporting Marines and equipment ashore for the Cobra Gold joint military exercise at Sattahip Naval Base in Chonburi province, southeastern Thailand Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009.

The two-week long annual joint exercise involving with nearly 12,000 soldiers from Thailand, the United States, Singapore, Japan, and Indonesia, is considered the largest military operations in the Southeast Asia region.On February 6, 2009 in Sattahip, southeastern Thailand, and released by the US Navy, a Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1631 from Assault Craft Unit One arrives from the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) to off load Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to participate in Exercise Cobra Gold 09.