ROK, Thai, US forces storm the beach at CG10

Courtesy Photo | A CH-53 helicopters flies over a Republic of Korea Amphibious Assualt vehicle during a mock amphibious assault conducted by the Marine and Naval forces of the Republic of Korea, Thailand and the U.S., at Hat Yao, Feb. 4. The event was part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2010. Cobra Gold 2010 marks the 29th anniversary of the annual, joint and coalition multinational exercise, hosted by the Kingdom of Thailand. The exercise consists of a Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative Exercise, Command Post Exercise, HCA projects and field training exercises. The goal of the exercise is to enhance military interoperability and improves communities through humanitarian assistance and civil action projects. An amphibious assault demonstrates the use of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to project military power ashore. An amphibious landing of infantry troops on a beach a complex military maneuvers. The undertaking requires coordination of numerous military specialties, including air power, naval gunfire, naval transport, logistical planning, specialized equipment, land warfare, tactics and extensive training for all personnel involved. There are two main vehicles used in an amphibious assault; the Landing Craft Air Cushion and the Amphibious Assault Vehicle. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Uriel De Luna-Felix/ Released)  

HAT YAO, THAILAND

02.05.2010

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Pacific Public Affairs Office

Story by: USMC Jovane M. Holland

HAT YAO, Thailand — More than 500 Marine and Naval forces from the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of South Korean and the US stormed the beach at Hat Yao for a mock amphibious assault at part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2010, Feb. 4.

Cobra Gold is a regularly scheduled joint and coalition multinational exercise hosted annually by the Kingdom of Thailand. This year marks the 29th iteration for the exercise, which consists of a Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative Exercise, Command Post Exercise, Humanitarian and Civic Action projects and field training exercises.

The purpose of the mock amphibious assault was to orchestrate a forcible entry and get troops ashore in a simulated hostile situation while collaborating with different militaries, said Lt. Col. Stewart Lockheart, executive officer, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

"Amphibious landings are part of our Marine Corps history," Lockheart said. "It is important that we test ourselves on our knowledge and work with our counterparts to perfect our skills as a united force."

The exercise began with groups of reconnaissance Marines maneuvering combat rubber reconnaissance crafts from sea to shore, securing a perimeter and locking on target objectives set in place.

While the Marines surveyed the area from the ground, Thai paratroopers soared through the sky overhead, providing an aerial set of eyes and joining in the securing of the vicinity once they landed.

Clearing the beach of obstacles followed, with air support provided by Cobra and Huey helicopters and Harrier jets.

A Bangalore torpedo and a small amount of controlled explosives were used during the mock strikes.

Once the beach was clear, amphibious assault vehicles made their way across the sea, gliding in from more than 5,000 yards away.

"All of our big toys came out to play today," Lockheart said.

The Amphibious Assault Vehicles stormed the beach in two separate waves, the first consisting of Royal Thai and U.S. Marines, the second of Royal Thai and Republic of Korea Marines.

The AAVs pushed ashore toward their objective, and once the Marines dismounted they continued the assault, conducting fire team buddy rushes inland until they completed their objective and secured the area.

The entire course of action lasted less than an hour, but in a real life situation, the process could take days to accomplish the goal, said Navy Capt. Don Schmieley, commander of Amphibious Squadron 11 and USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group.

"Everything has to be timed and completely synchronized on every side," Schmieley said. "With that in mind, it is of the utmost importance that we rehearse the process of moving air and surface pieces in an assault, especially when working in a coalition capacity."

Nearly two months of developing a refined plan, the demonstration was executed exceptionally, Lockheart said.

"We're all Marines," Lockheart said. "Despite our differences, we have similar doctrines, and that's why this exercise was such a success."

• Date Taken: 02.05.2010
• Date Posted: 02.05.2010 05:48
• Story ID: 44966
• Location: HAT YAO, TH