Press Releases
Embassy of the United States of America
Bangkok
February 17, 2009
Cobra Gold 2009 Closes in Chiang Mai
U.S. Ambassador Eric G. John joined Royal Thai Armed Forces Commander General Songkitti Jaggabatara and Commander, U.S Pacific Command Admiral Timothy J. Keating and ambassadors from Japan, Singapore and Indonesia for the Cobra Gold 2009 (CG09) closing ceremony at Lotus Pang Suankaew Hotel, Chiang Mai on February 17, 2009.
This was the 28th annual Cobra Gold exercise and is the latest in a continuing series of exercises designed to promote regional peace and security. More than 7,000 U.S. military personnel participated in this year’s event.
Ambassador John said, “Cobra Gold is a vital tool that not only enhances U.S.-Thai relations, but also strengthens our bonds of friendship with other countries in the region. This year the Command Post exercise, coupled with intense activities over the past two weeks on the ground, in the air and on the waters surrounding Thailand, demonstrate once again the importance of Cobra Gold to the bilateral U.S.-Thai military relationship and to friends in the region.
“I would also like to underscore the fact that the work our troops have done in this exercise can help to save lives in future operations, peacekeeping deployments, and disaster responses. Thanks to all of your efforts, Cobra Gold remains emblematic of our combined commitment to regional stability in Southeast Asia.”
Cobra Gold 2009 was conducted from February 4-17 and saw the introduction of Global Peace Operation Initiative (GPOI) program into the exercise. GPOI is Department of State initiative to train U.S. personnel and others in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
U.S. military personnel conducted six engineering projects and seven medical civic action projects in villages throughout Thailand.
#014/09