Thai, ROK, US Marines train, build friendships

Photo By Capt. Adam Miller | Republic of Korea Marine Pfc. Kim Juhan, left, prepares to fire an 81mm mortar round as U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Jordan M. Carey readies another Feb. 13 at Ban Chan Krem, Kingdom of Thailand during Exercise Cobra Gold. The exercise is a multinational and multiservice exercise, which takes place annually in the Kingdom of Thailand and was developed by the Thai and U.S. militaries. Juhan is a mortarman with the ROK Marines’ 81mm mortar platoon, Weapons Company, 21st Battalion, 2nd Division. Carey is a mortarman with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. The battalion is attached to 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, as part of the Marine Corps’ unit deployment program.  

BAN CHAN KREM, THAILAND

02.17.2014

Story by Cpl. Adam Miller 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

BAN CHAN KREM, Kingdom of Thailand – Royal Thai, Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines trained together Feb. 17 at Ban Chan Krem, Kingdom of Thailand during Exercise Cobra Gold.

The purpose of the day’s training was to learn the tactics, techniques and procedures of the three country’s mortarman military occupational specialty.

“Our intent was to understand each other’s capabilities and limitations when employing the (M252 81mm medium weight mortar weapon) system,” said 1st Lt. Jonathan R. Licht, the 81mm mortar platoon commander with Weapons Co., 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. The battalion is attached to 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, as part of the Marine Corps’ unit deployment program. “We wanted to create interoperability between (ROK, Thai and U.S.) Marines to help each other better establish their tactics, techniques and procedures.”

Cobra Gold is a multinational and multiservice exercise, which takes place annually in the Kingdom of Thailand and was developed by the Thai and U.S. militaries.

“Training with the (U.S. Marines) and observing how they operate is very beneficial to my platoon,” said Royal Thai Marine Lt. Sutit Soithong, the 81mm mortar platoon commander with 7th Battalion, 3rd Regiment, of the Royal Thai Navy’s Marine Division. “We use a similar (81mm mortar weapon system) and the (TTP’s) are also similar. We hope that we can take away something new from this experience and that (our allies) will learn something from us also.”

In its 33rd iteration, Cobra Gold is designed to advance regional security by exercising a robust multinational force from nations sharing common goals and security commitments in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Thai, ROK and U.S. military forces are committed to working together in areas of common interest for the betterment of regional security; this multinational training is vital to maintaining the readiness and interoperability of the alliance.

“This is a rare opportunity for a lot of us,” said ROK Marine Pfc. Kim Juhan, a mortarman with the ROK Marines’ 81mm mortar platoon, Weapons Co., 21st Battalion, 2nd Division. “The climate and environment is very different compared to what we are used to, so this training is giving (many of) us a lot of new experiences. I think the best part of it is making new friends with (Royal Thai and U.S. Marines) who have the same job as I do.”

Training together during Cobra Gold, using similar weapons systems and experiencing how each unit functioned allowed for the ROK, Thai and U.S. Marines to establish a professional and personal bond while also gaining a unique insight into new ways of operating.

“The ROK Marines have well-established TTP’s that are different from ours, but are also very effective,” said. Licht. “The Thai’s picked up (our TTP’s) quickly, and they are enthusiastic about training. Both units are easy to work with and we have learned a lot as well.”

• Date Taken: 02.17.2014
• Date Posted: 02.19.2014 02:01
• Story ID: 120795
• Location: BAN CHAN KREM, TH