Amphibious raid demonstrates U.S. and Thai Marine interoperability

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HAT YAO BEACH, Thailand (May 19, 2006) -- As U.S. Marines and sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) and Royal Thai Marines hit the beach in assault amphibious vehicles (AAV), excitement broke loose and military forces poured out of the backside during a combined amphibious raid here May 19 as part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2006.

Thai Marines in four AAVs debarked from a tank landing ship (LST) and quickly sailed to the beach to provide security for an approaching column of 14 AVVs caring over 240 combat loaded Marines and sailors of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, who served as the assault force for the raid.

“When we first arrived on May 15th, we trained side by side with our Thai counterparts to include amphibious raids,” said U.S. Marine Capt. Burrell Parmer, the 31st MEU public affairs officer.

The U.S. Marines train to the standard of being proficient in planning and ready to carry out any mission in six hours. The 31st MEU is special operations capable and able of conducting 23 different missions from raids to humanitarian assistance/disaster relief operations, explained Parmer.

The 31st MEU brings with it knowledge and capability to overcome obstacles, plan out the mission and then execute. It’s the smallest of Marine air ground task forces, but with the Forward Deploy Amphibious Ready Group, it serves as the nation’s forward deployed, quick-response team, capable of accomplishing numerous missions around the globe.

“The U.S. is experienced and trained,” said Royal Thai Marine Petty Officer Chief Suksa Fung-Fueng, maintenance chief for the Thai AAV’s. “Today we learned how to plan and achieve an approach from the ocean to land.”

The USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) housed the AAV’s until they ‘splashed’ for the mission. Once the ‘floating tanks’, a whopping 26 tons, were in the water, the troops gathered for troop accountability, and then made the long swim to the shore.

Once on the beach, Marine units from both nations scattered to pull security and conduct operations to include downloading from the AAV’s, clearing houses, gathering all enemy prisoners of war and all casualties.

Cobra Gold is designed to train to standard and learn from each other. It’s also an exercise to improve readiness and responsiveness.

“This is a lesson for us to go back and review so we can evaluate and train harder for the future so we can meet the standard,” said Fung-Feung.

Cobra Gold is first time adventure for many, and as with each exercise there are ups and downs, but with patience, it can be enjoyed.

“The Marines are having a good time,” said Parmer. “There is a language barrier but as with all Marines, we adapt and overcome. As by witness, this raid today proves that.”

Despite the barriers, the exercise proved successful and both military organizations benefited from the camaraderie the exercise induced. The purpose of the overall of Cobra Gold is to maintain relations, but at the tactical level, the experience shared between U.S. and Thai Marines is personal among the warriors.

“The steadfast dedication and brotherhood of both Marine Corps proves today they can plan and execute any mission assigned,” said Parmer. “We are always ready when our nations call.”