Division Marines depart for Cobra Gold aboard HSV
KIN RED PORT, OKINAWA, Japan (May 12, 2006) -- More than 150 Marines and sailors with K Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, and Combat Logistics Platoon 3 departed for Thailand aboard the high-speed vessel Westpac Express May 8 to participate in Exercise Cobra Gold 2006.
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Story Identification #: 200651234934
Story by - Consolidated Public Affairs Office
This exercise marks the 25th anniversary of this regional event, which will occur May 15-26. Cobra Gold is an annual combined, joint, multilateral training exercise in Thailand designed to improve multinational interoperability and strengthen international relationships.
This year's training will consist of a computer-simulated staff exercise, field training exercise and humanitarian/civic assistance projects.
K Battery, based at Twentynine Palms, Calif., and CLP-3, based in Hawaii, are currently on the Unit Deployment Program supporting 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. They are joining U.S. units primarily from bases in Japan, Guam and the Continental United States.
"It's a great opportunity for the Marines to get out and visit other countries and work with other forces," said Capt. Josh Chartier, K Battery's commanding officer.
According to Maj. Damian A. Bess, the exercise officer for III Marine Expeditionary Force, III MEF's role this year is a little smaller than normal, but still essential.
"It's important that we maintain the great relationship that we have with the Royal Thai Forces," Bess said. "III MEF worked together with Thai forces on a lot of missions in support of Operation Unified Assistance following the Southeast Asia tsunami. This year keeps that relationship fresh."
Chartier said the K Battery and CLP-3 Marines are the only units from 3rd Marine Division who are involved in the field training exercise portion of Cobra Gold.
They are scheduled to conduct jungle warfare training with the Royal Thai Marines, focusing on small arms and basic Marine skills. CLP-3 will also conduct site improvement projects such as enhancement to military roads.