Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) and Cobra Gold 2024 Closing Ceremony

11 Maret 2024

CALFEX at Cobra Gold 2024 (all photos: RTARF)

On March 8, 2027, at 10.30 a.m., Air Chief Marshal Chanon Muangthanya, Deputy Chief of Defense Forces, and Major General Michelle  Schmidt, Commanding General of the 7th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, presided over the Cobra Gold 2024 closing ceremony at the Naval Training Field no. 16, Ban Chanthakhlem, Chanthaburi province, and observed the Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX). Chiefs of Defense Forces and commanders-in-chief of allied nations were also in attendance. 

The CALFEX featured weaponry and 137 participants from the Thai, American, and South Korean armed forces.  Activities included high-altitude, high-opening (HAHO) operations, sniper training, air interdiction, artillery preparation and supporting fire, engineer corps’ breaching operations, shooting on the move, air assaults, close air support, air assault operations, medical evacuation, and efforts to secure a target area.  

Key hardware included Thai Armed Forces’ BTR wheeled armored vehicles and F-16 fighters; U.S. Marine Corps’ F-16 fighters, PUMA unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), and landing vehicles tracked (LVTs); and Korea Marine Corps’ TOW-2ARF missiles and KAAV.

The Cobra Gold exercise is the largest military exercise in Southeast Asia, co-hosted annually in Thailand by the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.  Past iterations have been highly successful in increasing the capacity of participating troops.  

The exercise allows for the exchange of military know-how, doctrine, and technology, and has broadened the experience of Thai and allied forces in joint and multilateral operations.  

This reflects our commitment to elevating cooperation and our relationships with participating nations to safeguard the stability and mutual interests of the region.  

Additionally, the exercises also provide an economic benefit for local communities, while also building a good image of Thailand in the eyes of participating nations.

(Royal Thai Armed Forces)