CHON BURI, Thailand – Thousands of US troopers joined Thai and South Korean troops on a seashore in Thailand on Friday for one of many largest annual army workouts in Asia.
Now in its forty second yr, Cobra Gold brings 1000’s of forces from the United States, Thailand and different international locations collectively for days of coaching.
Washington has sought to strengthen army alliances within the area within the face of an assertive China.
American, Thai and South Korean troopers launched a joint amphibious operation close to a navy base within the east of the nation, by which jet fighters screamed overhead and tanks rumbled over the sand.
Personnel from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan additionally took half within the workouts, which span air, land and sea, and have a jungle survival course.
With round 6,000 members, the US delegation was greater than 4 occasions the scale of the contingent despatched in 2022.
Last month, the United States and the Philippines agreed to renew joint patrols within the disputed South China Sea, and struck a deal to present US troops entry to 4 extra army bases within the Philippines.
Seoul and Washington have not too long ago bolstered joint army drills following a yr of sanctions-busting weapons exams by North Korea, infuriating Pyongyang, which sees such joint workouts as rehearsals for invasion.
“While we all speak different languages, we come together with common bonds in pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific, which is what Cobra Gold is all about,” US Marines captain Jonathan Coronel instructed reporters.
“Thailand, the US and South Korea: we have a good cooperation in the region,” stated Cherngchai Chomcherngpat, commander in chief of the Royal Thai Navy.
“It is very important to train together… If there are tensions in the region, we know each other.” — Agence France-Presse
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
