Reconnaissance Marines of the Royal Thai Marines instructed their U.S. and South Korean brothers how to survive in an isolated jungle environment during a class here, Feb. 13.

Military personnel of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115, Marine Air Control Squadron 4, Detachment B and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 began their involvement in Exercise Cobra Gold 2012 Feb. 7 by conducting bilateral and unit level training with the Thai Armed Forces, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company.

An amphibious assault defines Marines worldwide. The transition from sea to land; the explosions of sand as Marines aggressively force their way to the objective; imposing fear into the enemy; fearless in their actions. In this same way, Marines captured the beaches of Guantanamo Bay in 1898 and claimed the island of Iwo Jima during World War II.

The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit has kicked off the new year by departing for the multi-lateral training exercise Cobra Gold 2012.

Amphibious Assault Vehicles are the tip of the spear in amphibious operations. They allow Marines to move from ship to shore quickly and deliver more than 10 combat ready Marines from each vehicle.

Sporadic bursts of rifle fire cut through the still air, drawing an immediate response from the Marines staged on the opposite end of the clearing. Call for maneuvers were made as groups of Marines took up defensive positions, returning fire in the direction of the enemy contact. Minutes later, three hostiles were either killed or captured, and a security perimeter was established around the cleared area.

They charged through the turbulent sea of grass under the thunderous rotor wash of a helicopter behind them, clutching their weapons and choosing the proper spots to take cover. Kneeling and steadying their sights on the tree line beyond, they remained aware of the positions of the Marines to their left and right. Once all were in place, the helicopters rose away, leaving the Marines to face one of their many pre-deployment trials: capturing an enemy encampment.

The infantry battalion known as 'The China Marines' has arrived here from Camp Pendleton, Calif., to join the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit as the new battalion landing team, with the first flight landing, Dec. 4.