By Afp
Published: 08:55 GMT, 16 February 2019 | Updated: 13:56 GMT, 16 February 2019
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With weapons drawn camouflaged troops leaped out of amphibious assault craft while explosions sounded and parachutists glided in from above as the annual Cobra Gold war games took over a placid Thai beach Saturday.
Now in its 38th year, Cobra Gold is one of the largest military exercises in Asia, bringing thousands of forces from the United States, Thailand and seven other countries come together for 11 days of training on Thai shores.
This year's drill includes some 2,000 US Marines, 1,000 US soldiers and hundreds from the country's Navy and Air Force.
On Saturday, American, Thai and South Korean forces descended on Namsai beach in Chonburi province in a joint drill intended to simulate securing the territory.
Now in its 38th year, Cobra Gold is one of the largest military exercises in Asia, bringing thousands of forces from the United States, Thailand and other countries together for 11 days of training
U.S. soldiers take part in the Amphibious Assault Demonstration during the Cobra Gold multilateral military exercise on Hat Yao Beach
Captain Melvin Spiese told AFP the goal was to 'bring power from ship to shore' and be ready for 'any kind of future crisis we might need to respond to with our Thai counterparts.'
Helicopters buzzed overhead and fighter jets roared
