Our MEU deployment began when we set out to sea from Okinawa aboard the USS Harpers Ferry. After a week of travel, we arrived at our first stop in Laem Chabang, Thailand. Our vehicles were offloaded here and we headed to our training area. It was sunny everyday in Thailand, with temperatures in the mid to high 90’s, and a humidity ranging from 80% - 90% in our training area, however, the Marines quickly adapted to the hot climate as training began.

In Thailand, the U.S. Marines were given the opportunity to train alongside the Thai Marines and Thai Army. This event was unique in that it was the first time these elements of the Thai Marines and Thai Army were able to train together. They were both very motivated. The training began with basic individual skills and progressed each day to include more complex concepts in preparation for the culmination exercise, Cobra Gold.

The LAR platoon was paired with a section of Thai Armored vehicles that were similar in capability and design to the LAV’s and perform the same types of missions. They were very eager to learn and train with us. At the end of some training days the Thai Marines invited us to their camp sites and prepared us dinner consisting of fish, chicken, frogs, rice and snake. They also took the time to demonstrate their form of martial arts, Mua Thai Kick Boxing. The Marines enjoyed this part of the training very much and in turn we demonstrated to them some techniques in the Marine Corps Martial Art Program (MCMAP). The Thai's and the U.S. Marines enjoyed each others company and we all had a great time. Half way through the training exercise the Marines were allowed to watch the super bowl in a facility provide by MCCS. The Marines loved the break from training for the one day and were recharged and ready for the rest of the training exercise.

The last two days of the training were spent rehearsing for the Cobra Gold exercise. This exercise is a big event for the Thai and U.S. governments because it demonstrates the ability of foreign forces to work together. There were high ranking visitors from the Thai military, U.S. military, ambassadors, politicians, and various other VIP’s present to watch the exercise.

Cobra Gold started off with the delivery of ordinance from aircraft and artillery on the objective area. Following the display of aircraft and artillery, the LAR platoons from both the Thai Marines and U.S. Marines fired their weapons, 25 mm, .50 Cal, and 7.62 mm machine guns, onto the same objective area. Once we completed our portion of the assault the Thai Marines and Army assaulted the objective. It was a great show of force by both sides.

After the exercise the Marines headed back to the ship, loaded the vehicles and gear, and were released on liberty in Pattya Bay, Thailand for a four day liberty visit. The Marines were excited to finally enjoy some well earned liberty, for the first time since leaving the United States.

When the liberty period ended, we set sail for our next destination. This time we were underway for a week to Singapore. The marines kept busy training in MCMAP, PT, receiving classes on various topics in the Marine Corps PME program and maintaining our vehicles. Once in Singapore the Marines were put out on liberty for another four days.

Following our visit to Singapore we once again boarded the ship to make our way to Manila, Philippines. Upon arrival we offloaded the equipment and Marines to go to our respective location of training. LAR had gone to a location called Crow Valley. This location was a lot better in regards to weather than our last training area in Thailand. The humidity level was much lower and there was a nice breeze that kept us cool most of the day.

We started off our training with the Philippine Marines at basic individual skills and progressed to more advanced skills throughout the evolution. It was an excellent opportunity to share our knowledge of tactics, and weapons with our Philippino allies. The Philippine Marines had a great time firing our light, medium, and heavy machine guns as well as training side by side with the Marines. We trained them first in individual fire and movement, and then progressed to squad team fire and movement, mounted and dismounted patrolling, and cordon and search. They were very eager to learn from us and were upset when we ran out of time to teach them anymore. The exercise was very high paced and we had accomplished a lot in a small amount of time. The Marines worked very hard throughout and when the exercise was over, we enjoyed a little time off in Manila.

After our visit in the Philippines we set sail once again towards the island of Okinawa, Japan. We remain underway, but the trip should take less then a week. Upon our arrival we will travel to mainland Japan to conduct additional training.

1st Lt Albert Medina
LAR Platoon Commander
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit

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