090211-N-1251W-171 Gulf of Thailand (Feb. 11, 2009) An amphibious assault
vehicle (AAV) assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) enters
the well-deck of the landing dock ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) after
transiting from USS Tortuga (LSD 46). Harpers Ferry, Tortuga, and the 31st
MEU are taking part in Exercise Cobra Gold, an annual Kingdom of Thailand
and U.S. co-sponsored military exercise designed to train U.S. and partner
asian-pacific nation forces. The exercise will also include humanitarian
civic action projects with participating nations from Indonesia, Japan,
Singapore, Thailand and the U.S. The U.S. will also engage with Thai
military forces in a field training exercise to promote familarity with and
cohesion between these partner nation's military forces. CG 09 provides a
unique and dynamic environment to strengthen the bond between these partner
militaries and the Thai community.
