Photo By Cpl. Achilles Tsantarliotis | A Royal Thai Marine stands watch outside his unit's quarters during Exercise Cobra...... read more read more
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BAN CHAN KREM, Thailand — Marine Wing Service Support Group 172 kicked off Exercise Cobra Gold 2010 with various training exercises including bilateral training in Military Operations in Urban Terrain, at a training area in Ban Chan Krem, Thailand, Feb. 3.
The Okinawa-based unit also inherited a billet usually filled by infantry units, offering services to the local populace like water treatment — as well as training alongside Royal Thai Armed Forces.
The Marines of MWSS- 172 is eager and enthusiastic about increase their bilateral participation during the 29th year of this annual exercise.
Maj. Victor Chin, executive officer, MWSS-172, said the unit will absorb as much training experience as they can during this year. Okinawa's limited area and operational do not allow Marines to receive the robust training experience they will experience in Thailand, he said.
Lance Cpl. William Burghart, motor transport operator, MWSS-172 said CG 2010 allows Marines to get the training they need alongside one of the best militaries they could train with.
"It's the opportunity of a lifetime for us," said Eric Eason, motor transport operator, MWSS-172.
Cobra Gold's abundant area and the numerous nations participating facilitate a productive environment.
"This is a perfect example of (large-scale) training," Chin said.
"This engagement supports U.S. Pacific Command theater operations and with the top three Marine Forces in the world participating — it far exceeds anything we can do in Okinawa," he explained.
Chin said the bilateral training with Royal Thai and Republic of Korea forces provides useful international operability. Overcoming cultural and lingual battles is a large part of mission accomplishment, he said.
The Royal Thai Marines seemed more enthusiastic about training than concerned about language barriers.
Royal Thai forces might be smaller in numbers, but their training and military capabilities are comparable, said Capt. Chris Eyre, operations officer, MWSS-172.
"The training is really good for the Thai people," said Weerachai Chaisuparb, a 23-year Royal Thai military member and translator with the Royal Thai Marines. "We train very hard and work toward very capable military. But, the experience the (U.S.) Marines have is something we do not.
We respect the Marines and learn from their experiences the most during this training," he added. "The local people are very happy with Marines. They've helped local drinking water and small schools needing (renovations)."
Because MWSS-172 can function like a Marine Air Ground Task Force, they're able to provide much more support, said Master Sgt. Scott Elliot, maintenance chief, MWSS-172.
"We learn a lot from each other as well," Elliot said about the Thai and U.S. training dynamic. "One example is a couple of their humvees were down. We showed them a (temporary) fix until it gets proper maintenance. But they also showed us how they wire certain components, which is a lot different.
That's the kind of training learned you can't put a number on. It's invaluable," he explained.
Brig. Gen. William Faulkner, 3rd Marine Logistics Group also paid a visit to MWSS-172.
"What you're doing here is critical," Faulkner told a group of Marines. "Making sure you stay sharp is what we have to do."
| Date Taken: | 02.06.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.06.2010 11:28 |
| Story ID: | 45013 |
| Location: | TH |
| Web Views: | 545 |
| Downloads: | 478 |
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