Marine Forces Storm Thailand Beach

US, Thailand, and South Korean marine forces stormed ashore on a Thai beach as part of the three countries' annual Cobra Gold military exercise.

The scenario was an operation to seize and hold a beachhead against an opposing force.

With support from low-flying jets and a naval barrage, marines from the three countries came ashore on Hat Yao beach in Chon Buri province, about 180 km south of Bangkok.

Thai marines led the way, followed by the South Koreans and the Americans.

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“The most important thing for these exercises is building the relationships so that we do that here in training and if we face a real world event together we know the people and we’re ready to respond," said US Rear Admiral Christopher Stone, commander of the Expeditionary Strike Force.

Cobra Gold was first held in 1982, and has grown into one of the world’s largest multinational military exercises.

Though only three countries took part in the marine landing, many others are involved in other aspects of the training, which ends on 8 March. These include Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

During the amphibious exercise, naval ships and an amphibious combat unit seized an opposing force’s beachhead.

The unit used naval artillery to fire a volley while aircraft simultaneously provided airborne support to decrease the opposing force’s ability to return fire.

After reaching the beachhead, the amphibious combat unit breached the opposing force’s territory and secured the beachhead.

The amphibious exercise aimed to build the capacity of participating military forces during allied joint operations, in order to bolster the Royal Thai Armed Forces’ confidence in all domain operations. The exercise also strengthened the bonds among allies, ensuring continual national security.