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Cobra Gold swings into full gear
Published: 5/02/2010 at 01:32 AM
Online news: Local News Bangkok Post
Sattahip District, Chon Buri: More than 800 US, Thai and South Korean marines stormed Hat Yao Beach in Thailand on Thursday with Seoul joining the annual joint war games for the first time.
The three-week Cobra Gold exercise sends a message that the United States will have a continued presence in the Asia-Pacific region, and the military is one aspect of that presence, said Lt Gen Benjamin Mixon, commander of the US army, Pacific.
The core exercise, being held for the 29th time, will focus on peacekeeping operations and humanitarian and disaster responses.
Mixon said South Korea’s participation was exciting.
"South Korea is a leader in the Asia-Pacific region, and this just underscores their importance in the peace and stability within the region," he said.
Singapore, Japan and Indonesia also are participating in the war games involving 11,500 military personnel.
On Thursday, the three countries' marines and US Navy Seals charged onto a beach southeast of Bangkok from 24 amphibious vehicles as helicopters clattered overhead and simulated explosions erupted along the shore.

