Cobra Gold 19 Chaplains

Photo By Staff Sgt. Robert Gavaldon | U.S. service members and Royal Thai Armed Forces personel pose for a photograph during exercise Cobra Gold 19 at Phitsanulok, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 7, 2019. Cobra Gold is one of the largest theater security cooperation exercises in the Indo-Pacific and is an integral part of the U.S. commitment to strengthen engagement in the region. Similar to last year, Cobra Gold 19 emphasizes coordination on civic action, such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, seeking to expand regional cooperation and collaboration in these vital areas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert G. Gavaldon)  

PHITSANULOK, THAILAND

02.07.2019

Story by Cpl. Robert Gavaldon 

U.S. Army Pacific Public Affairs Office

U.S. service members visits chaplains of the Royal Thai Armed Forces during exercise Cobra Gold 19 at Phitsanulok, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 7, 2019.
Service members visited the chaplains to meet and learn their various responsibilities and duties.
U.S. Navy Lt. Aroon Seeda, a Buddhist chaplain, came to brief the Royal Thai Armed Forces chaplains on the effectiveness in community relations events being conducted as part of Cobra Gold.
Community Relations events happen throughout Cobra Gold and demonstrate the mutual commitment to support humanitarian interests of friends and partner nations and aim to improve the health, welfare, and the quality of life of civilian residents.
The chaplains of the Royal Thai Armed Forces are a critical part of their military. They attend most operations, exercises, and ceremonies being that the religious culture is very integral and important to the military members.
The Chaplains are required to study at the Buddhist University for at least four years and study all nine Buddhist doctrines, this showing dedication to their faith as well as their country members.
During the meeting, the Royal Thai Forces chaplains expressed their deep desire to become more involved in the community relation events after being shown the friendships and positive effects on the community.
Forming bonds between partners within the Cobra Gold exercise is an integral part of the U.S. commitment to strengthen engagement in the region.
This exercise emphasizes coordination on civic action, such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and seeks to expand regional cooperation and collaboration in these vital areas.

• Date Taken: 02.07.2019
• Date Posted: 02.09.2019 02:42
• Story ID: 309972
• Location: PHITSANULOK, TH