Results 1 to 13 of 13
  1. #1
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Chiang Mai
    Posts
    48,094

    Cobra Gold Kicks Off in Thailand amid Virus Concerns, Precautions

    Almost 10,000 troops from 29 countries kicked off the annual Cobra Gold in Thailand on Tuesday, as officials offered assurances that measures were taken to prevent the coronavirus from spreading among servicemen participating in the joint exercises.


    The 10-day event, one of the largest military exercises in the Asia-Pacific, began as the Thai Public Health Ministry announced two new confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The flu-like disease, which is now called COVID-19, has infected about 80,000 people and killed 2,663 in China.


    “I deeply commend brave and fearless soldiers determined to join the exercise in the face of hardship and the COVID-19 outbreak,” Gen. Pornpipat Benyasri, overall field commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, said in a speech during the opening ceremonies at Camp Akatotsarot in Phitsanulok province, about 400 km (250 miles) north of Bangkok.


    He said the Thai military had arranged “strict measures” to prevent the virus from spreading among the troops taking part in Cobra Gold and “to ensure safe and healthy conditions for all participants.”


    All the troops were checked with thermal scanners ahead of time, and anyone with a fever was screened out for a medical examination, officials said.


    During the outbreak the virus has jumped from its epicenter in China to about 29 countries and territories, with about three dozen deaths recorded outside China.


    Thailand’s latest two cases – a 31-year-old woman whose relative visited Guangzhou in China and a male driver of Chinese tourists – brings to 37 the confirmed cases reported by Bangkok, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which has declared the disease a global health emergency.


    Among the Cobra Gold participant nations is South Korea, which has reported 977 confirmed cases and 10 deaths as of Tuesday.


    Pornpipat said Seoul, one of Thailand’s main training partners, sent in only a few officers to join Cobra Gold this year due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Last year, he said, South Korea participated with a full team and joined in the amphibious landing exercise and live-fire drill.


    Last week, Seoul announced a drastic reduction in the number of its participating troops, from 400 to about 30, and will participate only in a simulated command-post exercise. Other countries such as the Philippines, Australia, Canada, France and the United Kingdom will also join in that exercise, officials said. Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos were participating as observers, they said.


    The United States has sent about 5,500 service personnel, an increase of 1,000 soldiers from last year, according to a U.S. Embassy statement. They will join Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore, which has 90 confirmed cases of the virus.


    The risk of infection from COVID-19 remains low, and the threat of disease or illness is commonly considered by military planners when developing operations, U.S. Marine Capt. George McArthur, of the Cobra Gold 2020 Combined-Joint Information Bureau told the Stars and Stripes newspaper on Feb. 20.


    “As part of the mitigation strategy we have brought additional medical capabilities, supplies, to include individual personal protective equipment, and additional preventive medicine specialists,” McArthur said.


    Cobra Gold, the 39th of its kind, consists of three primary events this year, including field training. It is scheduled to run until March 6 in Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Rayong and Chonburi provinces.


    China and India will participate only in the humanitarian civic-action part of the exercise in Thai communities, McArthur said.


    Highlighting the event is the first appearance in Thailand of the F-35 stealth fighter jet, which will be among 64 aircraft and two battle ships – the USS America and the USS Green Bay – sent in by the United States.


    Michael Heath, chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, told participants at the opening ceremony that Cobra Gold was essential to building trust among the participating military forces.


    “This exercise provides our forces a critical opportunity to train together on complex and challenging missions to build trust and prepare us to fight together if ever needed in defense of the values and nations we serve,” he said.

    Cobra Gold Kicks Off in Thailand amid Virus Concerns, Precautions

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Last but who gives a shit.
    Posts
    13,316
    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    “This exercise provides our forces a critical opportunity to train together on complex and challenging missions to build trust and prepare us to fight together if ever needed in defense of the values and nations we serve,”
    What a load of bollix.

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat
    Klondyke's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Last Online
    26-09-2021 @ 10:28 PM
    Posts
    10,105
    Is the Ambassador City behind Jomtien booked again for relaxing after the exhausting exercise? It will be just very useful when the Chinese are cancelling...

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    96,555
    You can bet your arse these unlucky fuckers won't be getting Pattaya shore leave at the end of their wargames. Double shame because the seppos are not allowed to drink on board and they'll be gagging for a beer. I wonder which country will get the benefit of their largesse come the end of the exercises?


  5. #5
    Thailand Expat
    Klondyke's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Last Online
    26-09-2021 @ 10:28 PM
    Posts
    10,105
    Pattaya welcomes 4000 US soldiers for Cobra Gold in February

    The 39th annual Cobra Gold military exercise will be held from February 24 to March 6 with 4,000 US personnel, three navy ships and one commercial vessel. Cobra Gold is an event held between the Thai and US armed forces every year. It’s the largest Asia-Pacific military exercise held each year, and is among the largest multinational military exercises in which the US participates.

    The American Embassy has begun preparing for the 2020 edition by reviewing security measures protecting the 4,000 sailors expected to arrive in Pattaya next month.

    Pattaya welcomes 4000 US soldiers for Cobra Gold in February | The Thaiger

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat
    kmart's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Last Online
    03-10-2022 @ 11:24 AM
    Location
    Rayong.
    Posts
    11,498
    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    You can bet your arse these unlucky fuckers won't be getting Pattaya shore leave at the end of their wargames. Double shame because the seppos are not allowed to drink on board and they'll be gagging for a beer. I wonder which country will get the benefit of their largesse come the end of the exercises?

    They've f%cked it up for themselves as much as anything. Grunts can't resist posting up pics on social media of themselves on the lash / shagging, despite repeated instructions from their superiors. All that stuff is now monitored by some Christian "watchdog" committee.

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    96,555
    Quote Originally Posted by kmart View Post
    They've f%cked it up for themselves as much as anything. Grunts can't resist posting up pics on social media of themselves on the lash / shagging, despite repeated instructions from their superiors. All that stuff is now monitored by some Christian "watchdog" committee.
    I'm thinking more of the risk of one salty seadog sharing bodily fluids with a spreader and then taking it back to his ship, but you have a point as well.

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat
    Klondyke's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Last Online
    26-09-2021 @ 10:28 PM
    Posts
    10,105
    At least twice in the past I was unfortunate trying to book in the Ambassador City shortly after the Cobra Gold. Once entering the impressive reception lounge with hanging plants from the galleries I was shocked thinking that I am in American Dream - inside the Pentagon - just changed to Quadragon: No Thai personal at the desk just Generals: sorry, no vacancy, full house...

  9. #9
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Last Online
    Today @ 07:05 PM
    Location
    Roiet
    Posts
    34,895
    Quote Originally Posted by Klondyke View Post
    No Thai personal at the desk just Generals
    Then no:

    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    salty seadog
    Will be staying in much more frugal environs.

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    96,555
    Quote Originally Posted by Norton View Post
    Will be staying in much more frugal environs.
    I can recommend the Squeaky Spring Hotel next to the Sportsman, and just round the corner from TQ....

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Chiang Mai
    Posts
    48,094
    Cobra Gold 2020 amphibious landing exercise

    CHONBURI (NNT) - The Thai and United States armed forces have been using Chonburi province in an amphibious landing exercise as part of the 39th Cobra Gold 2020 joint military exercise.


    On Hat Yao beach in Sattahip district, the Thai and U.S. armed forces conducted the amphibious landing exercise with USS Green Bay amphibious landing ship and USS America amphibious assault ship, with HTMS Ang Thong personnel landing ship participating. The ships jointly conducted a mock amphibious landing on a hostile beach with jet fighters launching pre-landing bomb attacks and marines firing at enemy units and helicopters rescuing wounded troops.


    A mine sweeping and disposal exercise was conducted with F-35B Green Knights jet fighters from USS America amphibious assault ship launching ground attacks, and Thai Air Force F-16 jet fighters providing air support. LCAC and LCU wheeled armed personnel carriers, helicopters and other aircraft have participated in the mock beachfront operation.


    The 39th Cobra Gold 2020 joint military exercise from February 24 to March 6 includes an humanitarian aid aspect, disaster relief and counter-terrorism exercises.

    http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/de...00229164104185

  12. #12
    . Neverna's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    21,241
    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    Michael Heath, chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, told participants at the opening ceremony that ...

    “This exercise provides our forces a critical opportunity to train together on complex and challenging missions to build trust and prepare us to fight together if ever needed in defense of the values and nations we serve,” he said.
    Challenge 1: Thai breakfast.


  13. #13
    กงเกวียนกำเกวียน HuangLao's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    สุโขทัย
    Posts
    10,149
    Quote Originally Posted by Pragmatic View Post
    What a load of bollix.
    Isn't that the usual sense of it all - in true terms [bullocks].
    The higher ideals of romanticizing and championing militarism.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •