Cobra Gold
Cobra Gold 99
The Armed Forces of the United States and Thailand conducted the 18th Exercise Cobra Gold in Thailand from 12 May to 24 May 1999. A joint exercise involves more than one service. A combined exercise involves more than one country. CG 99 is a joint-combined exercise involving more than one military service from both the US and Thailand. CG 99 is part of a normal pattern of military cooperation between friends and allies in the US Pacific Command area of responsibility. The exercise was routine in nature and had been scheduled for some time. Similar joint-combined exercises had been conducted in thailand in recent years. This is the 18th in the Cobra Gold series.
The purpose of Cobra Gold 99 was multifaceted. Basically, the training improved US and Thai combat readiness and combined-joint interoperability, enhance security relationships, and demonstrate US resolve to support the security and humanitarian interests of friends and allies in the region.
The participation of US units and personnel does not neccessarily indicate they are the forces which might be sent to Thailand in the event of a crisis. It would be inappropriate to relate this exercise to, or to speculate on, any contingency plans involving american forces. As a matter of policy, the US does not discuss exercise scenarios.
The Thai exercise director was Lieutenant General Permsak Puangsaroj of the Royal Thai Supreme Command, and the US exercise director is Rear Admiral Pickavance, USCINCPAC J-3. Lieutenant General George Crocker, commanding general, I Corps, is the US Joint Task Force commander.
US aircraft used in the exercise include: US Air Force: MC-130P (Combat Shadow tankers) and MH-53J PAVE-LOW III; US Army: MH-60L Black Hawks and UH-1V Medivac helicopters; US Navy: CH-46, UH-1, SH-60, F-14, F-18, ES-3, EA-6 and C-2; and US Marine Corps: KS-130, C-12F, CH-46, CH-53E, F/A-18, AV-8B, AH-1W and UH-1N.
Approximately 750 airmen from Air Mobility Command and elements of the 353rd Special Operations Group, to include the 17th Special Operations Squadron (SOS), based out of Kadena Air Base and the 31st SOS, based out of Osan Air Base are participating. USAF units conducted missions to include special operation forces infiltration/exfiltration and resupply, amphibious deck landing qualifications, and cross training in search and rescue operations and recovery, as well as air mobility lift.
US Navy elements participating in this exercise included approximately 1,300 sailors from operational elements of the US 7th fleet and medical units.
US Marine forces participating in CG 99 included approximately 3,000 marines. The command element of III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF), headquartered on Okinawa, Japan, was the component headquarters. Elements of III MEF's 3d Force Service Support Group (3d FSSG), 3d Marine Division (3d MARDIV), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW), Seventh Communications Battalion and several elements of marine forces reserves also participated. US Marine component headquarters conducted a command post exercise (CPX). The 3d MARDIV served as the marine component headquarters for the CPX, conduct battalion/company level cross training, as well as conducting amphibious exercises. The 3d FSSG conducted combat service support for all marine forces ashore. The 1st MAW element cross-trained with the combined air forces.
Approximately 2,000 US Army personnel participated. The I Corps headquarters served as the US joint task force headquarters nucleus. There was participations by active duty and reserve elements of US Army Pacific. Specific units included the 3rd-160 Special Operation Group based out of Savannah, Georgia, as well as elements of the 25th Infantry Division, 84th Engineers, 68th Medical, and 17th Combat Support Battalion. Army units participated in a command post exercise; platoon, company, and battalion size cross training; combined field training exercises; humanitarian/civic assistance programs; medical evacuation missions; combat service support.
The home bases for US Special Forces participating in this exercise include some units based in the continental united states. Others are based in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, Japan and Korea.
All military forces participating in CG99 departed Thailand at the conclusion of the exercise. As in all previous Cobra Gold exercises, there was special emphasis on daily medical/dental/vet clinics in villages throughout the exercise areas, in addition to numerous construction projects that will enhance the quality of life of local residents. The Royal Thai government routinely invites the military attaches stationed in Bangkok to attend the major exercise events.
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