Photo By Crista Mary Mack | Royal Thai Marine Corps Petty Officer 1st Class Wuttichai Harnkla and U.S. Marine...... read more read more
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CHANTABURI PROVINCE, Thailand — A joint force of combat engineers from the U.S. Marine Corps and the Royal Thai Marines laid more than just a physical structure while constructing a new schoolhouse during Exercise Cobra Gold 10, they built a foundation for friendship.
The engineering project, at the Nong Jek Sroi School in the Keang Hang Meaw District of Chantaburi province, is one of five Humanitarian/Civil Assistance projects being constructed throughout the Kingdom of Thailand during Exercise Cobra Gold 2010.
"We are not just finishing a building, but building a relationship between our two cultures," said Royal Thai Marine combat engineer, Petty Officer 1st Class Aamol Chalong. Chalong works and lives on site with U.S. Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, based in Okinawa, Japan.
"These Marines are all living together, training together and eating together. It is because of this engineering project that they are interacting as part of the community on a daily basis," said Maj. Carl Beury, U.S. Army, Pacific, Civil Affairs operations officer and lead planner for the project. "Not only does the school get a new building, but the project shows the Thai community that we're more than just rifle ranges and field training exercises. These H/CA projects provide our U.S. forces with an opportunity to be immersed with other military forces, which is definitely good training."
The immersion helped U.S. Marine Corps combat engineers Lance Cpl. Kelin Bradley and Lance Cpl. Justin Rodabaugh to form a tight bond with fellow combat engineer Petty Officer 1st Class Wuttichai Harnkla from the Royal Thai Marines.
"We started out asking names of things, what we call something versus what they call something, and before you know it we were getting along just like you do with anyone else you work with," said Bradley. "It's good working with the Thais, they're hard workers."
Bradley also said the Marines learned different ways to accomplish the building mission.
"They do stuff like we used to do, like instead of using levels, they use strings. So we learned and will continue to learn a lot from them," Bradley added.
The Royal Thai Marines working with the U.S. expressed similar feelings.
"I am proud to work with U.S. Marines and help out the students too," said Chalong. "We are building strong friendships and learning from one another."
When the project is complete both groups will have accomplished two goals; a new building and new friendships.
"What started out as a language barrier transitioned into an understanding of each other since we speak the same language when it comes down to proficiency of the job," said Staff Sgt. Rudy Tejada, staff non-commissioned officer in charge and foreman of the project. "If you're a builder in your language and I'm a builder in mine, the work we do is the same language. And that translates to making good friendships here."
Construction of all five H/CA projects will take approximately one month to complete. The official start of Cobra Gold 2010 will commence with a ceremony Feb. 1, with dedication ceremonies taking place throughout the exercise to celebrate the completion of the H/CA projects.
Cobra Gold 2010 is a regularly scheduled joint and coalition multinational exercise hosted annually by the Kingdom of Thailand. This year marks the 29th anniversary for the exercise, which consists of a Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative Exercise, Command Post Exercise, H/CA projects and field training exercises.
| Date Taken: | 01.26.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 01.31.2010 16:35 |
| Story ID: | 44690 |
| Location: | TH |
| Web Views: | 140 |
| Downloads: | 130 |
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