NAKHON RATCHASIMA PROVINCE, Thailand (Feb. 23, 2017) -- The Ban Non Lueam school expansion project is the result of the joint efforts of Multi-National Forces from the U.S., Thailand, India and China, part of Cobra Gold 2017. Cobra Gold, in its 36th iteration, is the largest Theater Security Cooperation exercise in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. This year’s focus is to advance regional security and ensure effective responses to regional crises by bringing together a robust multinational force to address shared goals and security commitments in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. - NAKHON RATCHASIMA PROVINCE, Thailand (Feb. 23, 2017) -- The Ban Non Lueam school expansion project is the result of the joint efforts of Multi-National Forces from the U.S., Thailand, India and China, part of Cobra Gold 2017. Cobra Gold, in its 36th iteration, is the largest Theater Security Cooperation exercise in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. This year’s focus is to advance regional security and ensure effective responses to regional crises by bringing together a robust multinational force to address shared goals and security commitments in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Service members from the U.S., Thailand, and Malaysia guard the processing center for a noncombatant evacuation operation, as part of Cobra Gold 17 at Naval Airbase Utapao, Thailand, Feb. 19, 2017. The drill was conducted to exercise joint, multinational cooperation during disaster relief. Cobra Gold is the largest Theater Security Cooperation exercise in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and is an integral part of the U.S. commitment to strengthen engagement in the region. U.S., Thai, Malaysian and Japanese forces participated in the disaster relief drill. - Service members from the U.S., Thailand, and Malaysia guard the processing center for a noncombatant evacuation operation, as part of Cobra Gold 17 at Naval Airbase Utapao, Thailand, Feb. 19, 2017. The drill was conducted to exercise joint, multinational cooperation during disaster relief. Cobra Gold is the largest Theater Security Cooperation exercise in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and is an integral part of the U.S. commitment to strengthen engagement in the region. U.S., Thai, Malaysian and Japanese forces participated in the disaster relief drill.

U.S. Navy Reserve Chaplain Aroon Seeda reunites with his primary school teacher Mrs. Pairor Sa-ngiemrat after more than 30 years during a visit to Wat Sam Nakkaton school on Feb. 14 near Sattahip, Thailand by U.S. service members for exercise Cobra Gold 2017. The Thai-U.S. co-sponsored exercise represents the longstanding friendship between the Thai and American people and their commitment to work together in support of peace and security in the region. - U.S. Navy Reserve Chaplain Aroon Seeda reunites with his primary school teacher Mrs. Pairor Sa-ngiemrat after more than 30 years during a visit to Wat Sam Nakkaton school on Feb. 14 near Sattahip, Thailand by U.S. service members for exercise Cobra Gold 2017. The Thai-U.S. co-sponsored exercise represents the longstanding friendship between the Thai and American people and their commitment to work together in support of peace and security in the region.

U.S. Pacific Command Commander Adm. Harry Harris, Thai Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Surapong Suwana-adth and U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand Glyn Davies, along with multinational representatives pose for a photo during the official opening ceremony of Cobra Gold 2017. Cobra Gold, in its 36th iteration, is the largest Theater Security Cooperation exercise in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. This year’s focus is to advance regional security and ensure effective responses to regional crises by bringing together a robust multinational force to address shared goals and security commitments in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/Released) - U.S. Pacific Command Commander Adm. Harry Harris, Thai Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Surapong Suwana-adth and U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand Glyn Davies, along with multinational representatives pose for a photo during the official opening ceremony of Cobra Gold 2017. Cobra Gold, in its 36th iteration, is the largest Theater Security Cooperation exercise in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. This year’s focus is to advance regional security and ensure effective responses to regional crises by bringing together a robust multinational force to address shared goals and security commitments in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/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.

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.