An official website of the United States government Here's how you know

Joint Exercise Cobra Gold 2024 begins

By Staff Sgt. Meredith Vincent and 122nd Theater Public Affairs Support ElementFebruary 28, 2024

Senior military leaders participate in the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold training exercise in Rayong Province, The Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the...
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Senior military leaders participate in the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold training exercise in Rayong Province, The Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong alliance and strategic relationship between Thailand and the United States. This is the 43rd iteration of the multilateral exercise held from Feb. 27 to March 8, 2024. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elaina Nieves) VIEW ORIGINAL
Music for the Thai National Anthem rests on a servicemember’s trombone during the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold exercise, held in Rayong Province, Kingdom of Thailand. A joint band composed of servicemembers from the United States Army and...
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Music for the Thai National Anthem rests on a servicemember’s trombone during the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold exercise, held in Rayong Province, Kingdom of Thailand. A joint band composed of servicemembers from the United States Army and the Royal Thai Army played both the United States National Anthem and the Thai National Anthem during the ceremony. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong alliance and strategic relationship between Thailand and the United States. This year will be the 43rd iteration of the multilateral exercise held from Feb. 27 to March 8, 2024. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Meredith Vincent) VIEW ORIGINAL
Military personnel participate in the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold training exercise in Rayong Province, The Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong...
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Military personnel participate in the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold training exercise in Rayong Province, The Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong alliance and strategic relationship between Thailand and the United States. This is the 43rd iteration of the multilateral exercise held from Feb. 27 to March 8, 2024. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elaina Nieves) VIEW ORIGINAL
Robert F. Godec the U.S.Ambassador to Thailand, Gen. Songwit Noonpackdee, Chief of Defence Forces for the Royal Thai Armed Forces and Lt. Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, Commanding General of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord conduct the opening...
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Robert F. Godec the U.S.Ambassador to Thailand, Gen. Songwit Noonpackdee, Chief of Defence Forces for the Royal Thai Armed Forces and Lt. Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, Commanding General of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord conduct the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold training exercise in Rayong Province, The Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong alliance and strategic relationship between Thailand and the United States. This is the 43rd iteration of the multilateral exercise held from Feb. 27 to March 8, 2024. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elaina Nieves) VIEW ORIGINAL
The U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec, greets senior military leaders from participating nations during the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold exercise, held in Rayong Province, Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest...
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec, greets senior military leaders from participating nations during the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold exercise, held in Rayong Province, Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong alliance and strategic relationship between Thailand and the United States. This year is the 43rd iteration of the multilateral exercise held from Feb. 27 to March 8, 2024. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Meredith Vincent) VIEW ORIGINAL

RAYONG PROVINCE, Thailand — Thousands of servicemembers from the United States, Thailand and partnering countries gathered to participate in the opening ceremonies of the 43rd Annual Cobra Gold exercise, which commenced Tuesday morning in Rayong province, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 27, 2024.

Established in 1982 as a bilateral maritime exercise between the United States and Thailand, Cobra Gold has expanded throughout the past four decades to include other countries, including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea. The event is the longest-running international exercise in the world, a fact that exercise leadership attributes to a long-standing history of cooperation and enduring partnerships.

Military photographers and members of the media capture images of the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold exercise, held in Rayong Province, Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a...
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Military photographers and members of the media capture images of the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold exercise, held in Rayong Province, Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong alliance and strategic relationship between Thailand and the United States. This year is the 43rd iteration of the multilateral exercise held from Feb. 27 to March 8, 2024. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Meredith Vincent) VIEW ORIGINAL
Senior military leaders from participating nations stand at attention during the opening ceremony of training exercise Cobra Gold in Rayong Province, The Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia...
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Senior military leaders from participating nations stand at attention during the opening ceremony of training exercise Cobra Gold in Rayong Province, The Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong alliance and strategic relationship between Thailand and the United States. This is the 43rd iteration of the multilateral exercise held from Feb. 27 to March 8, 2024. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elaina Nieves) VIEW ORIGINAL
The U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec, arrives with senior military leaders from participating nations to the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold exercise, held in Rayong Province, Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the...
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec, arrives with senior military leaders from participating nations to the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold exercise, held in Rayong Province, Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong alliance and strategic relationship between Thailand and the United States. This year is the 43rd iteration of the multilateral exercise held from Feb. 27 to March 8, 2024. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Alec Dionne) VIEW ORIGINAL
Military personnel salute during the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold training exercise in Rayong Province, The Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong...
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Military personnel salute during the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold training exercise in Rayong Province, The Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong alliance and strategic relationship between Thailand and the United States. This is the 43rd iteration of the multilateral exercise held from Feb. 27 to March 8, 2024. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elaina Nieves) VIEW ORIGINAL
Dignitaries and senior military leaders participate in the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold training exercise in Rayong Province, The Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete...
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Dignitaries and senior military leaders participate in the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold training exercise in Rayong Province, The Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong alliance and strategic relationship between Thailand and the United States. This is the 43rd iteration of the multilateral exercise held from Feb. 27 to March 8, 2024. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elaina Nieves) VIEW ORIGINAL

“In the last 20 years, the nations represented here have trained together, with that training put to operational use in responding to seismic and life-threatening events,” said U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec. “Only through cooperation can we rise to these challenges and keep our people safe by providing a solid foundation for regional security and inclusive prosperity.”

More than 4,500 servicemembers from the United States Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines will join their international counterparts to work side-by-side, learning and navigating the unique and ever-changing challenges of the modern military world, including cyber and over-the-horizon threats. Its focus on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and civic aid make the Cobra Gold exercise essential to the region.

“Up to now, 30 partner nations have participated in the exercise, comprising almost 9,000 troops,” said Gen. Songwit Noonpackdee, Chief of Defence Forces for the Royal Thai Armed Forces. “We have expanded the scope of military operations to address the full spectrum of threats across all domains…aimed at promoting collaboration to enhance regional stability.”

Commanding General of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord Lt. Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, greets senior military leadership from participating nations during the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold exercise, held in Rayong Province, Kingdom of...
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Commanding General of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord Lt. Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, greets senior military leadership from participating nations during the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold exercise, held in Rayong Province, Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong alliance and strategic relationship between Thailand and the United States. This year will be the 43rd iteration of the multilateral exercise held from Feb. 27 to March 8, 2024. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Meredith Vincent) VIEW ORIGINAL
A joint band comprised of servicemembers from the United States Army and the Royal Thai Army play at the opening ceremonies of the Cobra Gold exercise, held in Rayong Province, Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint...
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A joint band comprised of servicemembers from the United States Army and the Royal Thai Army play at the opening ceremonies of the Cobra Gold exercise, held in Rayong Province, Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong alliance and strategic relationship between Thailand and the United States. This year is the 43rd iteration of the multilateral exercise held from Feb. 27 to March 8, 2024. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Meredith Vincent) VIEW ORIGINAL
Commanding General of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChordLt. Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, greets senior military leaders from participating nations during the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold exercise, held in Rayong Province, Kingdom of Thailand....
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Commanding General of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChordLt. Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, greets senior military leaders from participating nations during the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold exercise, held in Rayong Province, Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong alliance and strategic relationship between Thailand and the United States. This year is the 43rd iteration of the multilateral exercise held from Feb. 27 to March 8, 2024. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Meredith Vincent) VIEW ORIGINAL
Robert F. Godec the U.S.Ambassador to Thailand, Gen. Songwit Noonpackdee, Chief of Defence Forces for the Royal Thai Armed Forces and Lt. Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, Commanding General of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord conduct the opening...
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Robert F. Godec the U.S.Ambassador to Thailand, Gen. Songwit Noonpackdee, Chief of Defence Forces for the Royal Thai Armed Forces and Lt. Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, Commanding General of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord conduct the opening ceremony of the Cobra Gold training exercise in Rayong Province, The Kingdom of Thailand. Joint Exercise Cobra Gold is the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia and a concrete example of the strong alliance and strategic relationship between Thailand and the United States. This is the 43rd iteration of the multilateral exercise held from Feb. 27 to March 8, 2024. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elaina Nieves) VIEW ORIGINAL

“Cobra Gold is not just a military exercise,” added Lt. Gen. Xavier Brunson, commanding general of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis- McChord. “It is a decades-long example of the enduring partnerships that bind our nations together. As we train and learn from each other, we symbolize the strength that comes from unity, shared goals, and the commitment to regional stability.”

The two-week long exercise will conclude on March 7. In that short time, Brunson encouraged servicemembers from participating nations to embrace the invaluable opportunities to learn and grow from each other in such a dynamic training environment.

“Cobra Gold provides a platform to refine our strategies, test our readiness, and cultivate the friendships that are the foundation of effective multinational cooperation,” Brunson told the crowd at the opening ceremony. “It’s an honor to be part of this robust multinational force dedicated to promoting our shared goals and security commitments in the Indo-Pacific.”