Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Raul Moreno Jr. | Chief Quartermaster Rasheed Lavigne scans ahead with his binoculars aboard a landing...... read more read more
SATTAHIP, Thailand – The forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown, part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group, began its involvement in the multinational military exercise co-sponsored by the U.S. and Thailand, Exercise Cobra Gold 2012, Feb. 10, in the Gulf of Thailand.
The exercise, now in its 31st year, is designed to promote regional peace and security. Nations involved in the exercise include the U.S., Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, and South Korea and representative from over 20 countries. CG 12 helps renew ties between nations and promotes strong military working relationships.
Elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked with Germantown and USS Tortuga, allows the ARG to conduct amphibious operations to project power ashore. The 31st MEU will participate in amphibious raids, amphibious assault, helicopter assaults, small boat raids and humanitarian disaster relief operations during CG 12.
Amphibious Craft Unit 1, also embarked with ARG, has been tasked with providing amphibious transportation for Marines to land.
“We are always on standby,” said Engineman 1st class Kosal Sim, assigned to the Amphibious Craft Unit 1. “We’re pretty flexible in our operations, transporting personnel and cargo from the ship to the shore.”
Sailors and Marines participated in this first amphibious operation, a planned and coordinated exercise that demonstrated rapid deployment ashore. Service members participating in the exercise also said they look forward to working with other nations throughout CG 12.
Lance Cpl. Deunte Williams, assigned to the 31st MEU, says, “I’m actually excited to be participating in the exercise. I think we can gain a lot of valuable information from each other.”
The U.S. and Thailand have worked together for over 175 years.
Germantown, commanded by Cmdr. Carol McKenzie, was commissioned Feb. 8, 1986, and is capable of carrying more than 721 sailors and Marines.
| Date Taken: | 02.10.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.11.2012 02:20 |
| Story ID: | 83719 |
| Location: | SATTAHIP, TH |
| Web Views: | 257 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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