KANCHANABURI, Thailand -- Combat Logistics Battalion 4 conducted convoy training operations with the Royal Thai Army’s 9th Infantry Division during Exercise Cobra Gold 2010 at Kao Laemb Range, Feb 4.
The training is an example of how U.S. forces are able to pass on operational experience, from something as basic as convoy operations, to their Thai counterparts during Cobra Gold.
“It’s very good training,” said Royal Thai Army Lt. Col. Benja Chobtoum, commanding officer, Support Group, 9th Infantry Division. “This kind of training is very important because it is realistic situation. It’s good for Thai (soldiers) to learn from Marine’s experiences and apply to our operating procedures.”
Although most of Cobra Gold meets at a common ground for training, Chobtoum said the experiences of combat veterans are an invaluable asset to the training curriculum.
“In Thailand there’s no war,” he explained. “There is no conflict, so Thai forces train basic convoy operations. In combat, it’s not basic though – it’s much more than drive from here to there.”
The convoy operations also gave Marines a relevant training dynamic by learning to adapt to cultural and lingual barriers.
“Cobra Gold is one of the best training exercises we have,” said U.S. Marine Col. Jay Hatton, commanding officer, Combat Logistics Regiment 3. “It provides us an opportunity to train like we fight.”
Hatton credits the international cohesion between Thai and U.S. forces for the success seen during Cobra Gold.
“No relationship is as strong as our relationship with Thailand,” he said.