Pacific Marines Stories

Royal Thai Armed Forces, U.S. Navy and Malaysian Armed Forces service members wait for the start of the dedication ceremony Feb. 18 at Ban Sa Yai, Trat, Thailand. The construction at Ban Sa Yai was one of six humanitarian civic action sites in which the Thai, U.S. and partner nation’s militaries will worked together on civic programs during Cobra Gold 2016. Cobra Gold, in its 35th iteration, demonstrates the commitment of the Kingdom of Thailand and the U.S. to our long-standing alliance and regional partnership toward advancing prosperity and security in the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt. Jose O. Nava/Released) - Royal Thai Armed Forces, U.S. Navy and Malaysian Armed Forces service members wait for the start of the dedication ceremony Feb. 18 at Ban Sa Yai, Trat, Thailand. The construction at Ban Sa Yai was one of six humanitarian civic action sites in which the Thai, U.S. and partner nation’s militaries will worked together on civic programs during Cobra Gold 2016. Cobra Gold, in its 35th iteration, demonstrates the commitment of the Kingdom of Thailand and the U.S. to our long-standing alliance and regional partnership toward advancing prosperity and security in the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt. Jose O. Nava/Released)

A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook is used to transport Soldiers during a combined arms live fire exercise at Ban Chan Khrem, Thailand, during exercise Cobra Gold, Feb. 19, 2016. Cobra Gold is a multinational training exercise developed to strengthen security and interoperability between the Kingdom of Thailand, the U.S. and other participating nations. (U.S. Marine Corps Combat Camera photo by Lance Cpl. Eryn L. Edelman/Released) - A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook is used to transport Soldiers during a combined arms live fire exercise at Ban Chan Khrem, Thailand, during exercise Cobra Gold, Feb. 19, 2016. Cobra Gold is a multinational training exercise developed to strengthen security and interoperability between the Kingdom of Thailand, the U.S. and other participating nations. (U.S. Marine Corps Combat Camera photo by Lance Cpl. Eryn L. Edelman/Released)

Royal Thai Armed Forces, U.S. Navy and Malaysian Armed Forces service members wait for the start of the dedication ceremony Feb. 18 at Ban Sa Yai, Trat, Thailand. The construction at Ban Sa Yai was one of six humanitarian civic action sites in which the Thai, U.S. and partner nation’s militaries will worked together on civic programs during Cobra Gold 2016. Cobra Gold, in its 35th iteration, demonstrates the commitment of the Kingdom of Thailand and the U.S. to our long-standing alliance and regional partnership toward advancing prosperity and security in the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt. Jose O. Nava/Released) - Royal Thai Armed Forces, U.S. Navy and Malaysian Armed Forces service members wait for the start of the dedication ceremony Feb. 18 at Ban Sa Yai, Trat, Thailand. The construction at Ban Sa Yai was one of six humanitarian civic action sites in which the Thai, U.S. and partner nation’s militaries will worked together on civic programs during Cobra Gold 2016. Cobra Gold, in its 35th iteration, demonstrates the commitment of the Kingdom of Thailand and the U.S. to our long-standing alliance and regional partnership toward advancing prosperity and security in the Indo-Asia Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt. Jose O. Nava/Released)

Japanese observers tour and examine a MV-22 Osprey during a noncombatant evacuation demonstration as part of exercise Cobra Gold 16 at Utapao, Thailand, February 17, 2016. U.S. Marines put an Osprey on static display during the demonstration while partner nations exercised their own evacuation capabilities. The Osprey provides a longer flight range and a bigger capacity for supplies compared to traditional helicopters, but allows service members to access smaller areas compared to traditional fixed-wing aircraft. Cobra Gold, in its 35th iteration, is a multi-national exercise designed to advance regional security and ensure effective responses to regional crises by bringing together a robust combined task force from partner nations sharing common goals and security commitments in the Asia-Pacific region. The Osprey is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Japanese observers tour and examine a MV-22 Osprey during a noncombatant evacuation demonstration as part of exercise Cobra Gold 16 at Utapao, Thailand, February 17, 2016. U.S. Marines put an Osprey on static display during the demonstration while partner nations exercised their own evacuation capabilities. The Osprey provides a longer flight range and a bigger capacity for supplies compared to traditional helicopters, but allows service members to access smaller areas compared to traditional fixed-wing aircraft. Cobra Gold, in its 35th iteration, is a multi-national exercise designed to advance regional security and ensure effective responses to regional crises by bringing together a robust combined task force from partner nations sharing common goals and security commitments in the Asia-Pacific region. The Osprey is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Pfc. Silvia Munozgarcia makes a radio call during the Cobra Gold 16 scenario-based training of the tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel at Utapao, Thailand February 15. Practicing TRAP missions allows the TRAP force to have the experience to respond quickly and accurately if an evacuation is needed. Cobra Gold is designed to advance interoperability, and increase capacity to plan and conduct combined task force to respond rapidly and effectively to regional crises. Munozgarcia, from San Francisco, California, is a radio operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Pfc. Silvia Munozgarcia makes a radio call during the Cobra Gold 16 scenario-based training of the tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel at Utapao, Thailand February 15. Practicing TRAP missions allows the TRAP force to have the experience to respond quickly and accurately if an evacuation is needed. Cobra Gold is designed to advance interoperability, and increase capacity to plan and conduct combined task force to respond rapidly and effectively to regional crises. Munozgarcia, from San Francisco, California, is a radio operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Members and participants of the Exercise Cobra Gold 16 Medical Symposium pose for one last group photo Feb. 12 at the K.P. Grand Hotel, Chanthaburi, Thailand. The symposium, Feb. 9-12, focused on the exchange of knowledge and techniques about humanitarian assistance disaster response. The main goal of the symposium was to raise the level of awareness, understanding, and methods for mitigation and prevention of new and emerging disease threats. - Members and participants of the Exercise Cobra Gold 16 Medical Symposium pose for one last group photo Feb. 12 at the K.P. Grand Hotel, Chanthaburi, Thailand. The symposium, Feb. 9-12, focused on the exchange of knowledge and techniques about humanitarian assistance disaster response. The main goal of the symposium was to raise the level of awareness, understanding, and methods for mitigation and prevention of new and emerging disease threats.

Royal Thai Army Supreme Commander, Gen. Sommai Kaotira and U.S. Ambassador Glyn Davies (right), shake hands during the opening ceremony for Exercise Cobra Gold at the Royal Thai Marine Corps Headquarters in Sattahip, Thailand, Feb. 9, 2016. Cobra Gold will consist of three primary events: a command post exercise, which includes a senior leader seminar; humanitarian civic assistance projects in Thai communities; and a field training exercise that will build regional relationships. - Royal Thai Army Supreme Commander, Gen. Sommai Kaotira and U.S. Ambassador Glyn Davies (right), shake hands during the opening ceremony for Exercise Cobra Gold at the Royal Thai Marine Corps Headquarters in Sattahip, Thailand, Feb. 9, 2016. Cobra Gold will consist of three primary events: a command post exercise, which includes a senior leader seminar; humanitarian civic assistance projects in Thai communities; and a field training exercise that will build regional relationships.

160207-N-RM689-536 SATTAHIP, Thailand (Feb. 7, 2016) - Lt. Shawn Callihan, assigned to amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), plays a hand game with children who attend Baan Kru Boonchoo for Special Children during a volunteering event. Ashland is assigned to the Bonhomme Richard Ready Group, and is participating in exercise Cobra Gold 16, a Thai- U.S. co-sponsored multinational joint exercise designed to advance regional security by exercising a robust multinational force from nations sharing common goals and security commitments in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. - 160207-N-RM689-536 SATTAHIP, Thailand (Feb. 7, 2016) - Lt. Shawn Callihan, assigned to amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), plays a hand game with children who attend Baan Kru Boonchoo for Special Children during a volunteering event. Ashland is assigned to the Bonhomme Richard Ready Group, and is participating in exercise Cobra Gold 16, a Thai- U.S. co-sponsored multinational joint exercise designed to advance regional security by exercising a robust multinational force from nations sharing common goals and security commitments in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

A Marine with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to secure an AAV-P7/A1 Amphibious Assault Vehicle to the well-deck of the USS Ashland (LSD 48) Jan. 29, 2016, at White Beach, Okinawa, Japan. The Marines loaded their AAVs onto the Ashland before departing for the MEU's spring deployment. The spring deployment is a regularly scheduled deployment designed to support PACOM's theater security cooperation initiatives to promote goodwill, and strengthen allied relationships. - A Marine with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to secure an AAV-P7/A1 Amphibious Assault Vehicle to the well-deck of the USS Ashland (LSD 48) Jan. 29, 2016, at White Beach, Okinawa, Japan. The Marines loaded their AAVs onto the Ashland before departing for the MEU's spring deployment. The spring deployment is a regularly scheduled deployment designed to support PACOM's theater security cooperation initiatives to promote goodwill, and strengthen allied relationships.