A Royal Thai Marine, simulating a chemical attack victim, lies still while Thai Reconnaissance Marines cordon off the area during a chemical, biological, radiological, chemical exercise here, Feb. 14. The training was conducted by Thai forces and Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, jointly executing casualty decontamination in a bilateral environment. The training is part of exercise Cobra Gold 2012, now in its 31st iteration. The exercise is a multi-lateral event focused on strengthening the interoperability of all participating military forces. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - A Royal Thai Marine, simulating a chemical attack victim, lies still while Thai Reconnaissance Marines cordon off the area during a chemical, biological, radiological, chemical exercise here, Feb. 14. The training was conducted by Thai forces and Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, jointly executing casualty decontamination in a bilateral environment. The training is part of exercise Cobra Gold 2012, now in its 31st iteration. The exercise is a multi-lateral event focused on strengthening the interoperability of all participating military forces. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marines with Battery L., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire an M777A2 Ultra Light Weight Howitzer here during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012, Feb. 14. The Marines were firing in preparation for the 31st MEU’s upcoming Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. CG 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines with Battery L., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire an M777A2 Ultra Light Weight Howitzer here during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012, Feb. 14. The Marines were firing in preparation for the 31st MEU’s upcoming Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise. CG 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sub-Lt. Pranom Yodrug, a Royal Thai reconnaissance Marine, slices a vegetable while teaching the Marines about edible vegetation as part of a jungle survival class held here, Feb. 13. The survival instruction, taught by members of the Royal Thai Marine Reconnaissance, educated U.S. and Republic of Korean Marines on finding sustenance and tools in the jungle environment. The class is part of exercise Cobra Gold 2012, now in its 31st iteration. The exercise is a multi-lateral event focused on strengthening the interoperability of all participating military forces. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Sub-Lt. Pranom Yodrug, a Royal Thai reconnaissance Marine, slices a vegetable while teaching the Marines about edible vegetation as part of a jungle survival class held here, Feb. 13. The survival instruction, taught by members of the Royal Thai Marine Reconnaissance, educated U.S. and Republic of Korean Marines on finding sustenance and tools in the jungle environment. The class is part of exercise Cobra Gold 2012, now in its 31st iteration. The exercise is a multi-lateral event focused on strengthening the interoperability of all participating military forces. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

A Marine with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, validates a Japanese refugee’s identification during a non-combatant evacuation operation exercise here, Feb. 12. The training scenario included military forces from the U.S., Kingdom of Thailand, Republic of Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia as part of the 31st iteration of exercise Cobra Gold 2012, a multi-lateral training event that demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - A Marine with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, validates a Japanese refugee’s identification during a non-combatant evacuation operation exercise here, Feb. 12. The training scenario included military forces from the U.S., Kingdom of Thailand, Republic of Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia as part of the 31st iteration of exercise Cobra Gold 2012, a multi-lateral training event that demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Marines with Company B, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, exit an amphibious assault vehicle and move into position to provide supporting fire during a mechanized raid here, Feb. 11. The Marines were conducting the bilateral raid during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. Cobra Gold 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines with Company B, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, exit an amphibious assault vehicle and move into position to provide supporting fire during a mechanized raid here, Feb. 11. The Marines were conducting the bilateral raid during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. Cobra Gold 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Cpl. Mike Guzman, point man with Scout Sniper Platoon, Weapons Co., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, observes the immediate area for the rest of his platoon during a mechanized raid on a beach here, Feb. 11. As a point man, it is Guzman’s responsibility to lead his platoon toward a location within range of a designated objective, and be the first Marine to encounter and relay information about possible enemy contact. Cobra Gold 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Cpl. Mike Guzman, point man with Scout Sniper Platoon, Weapons Co., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, observes the immediate area for the rest of his platoon during a mechanized raid on a beach here, Feb. 11. As a point man, it is Guzman’s responsibility to lead his platoon toward a location within range of a designated objective, and be the first Marine to encounter and relay information about possible enemy contact. Cobra Gold 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Republic of Korea Marines rush from an amphibious assault vehicle during an assault on a beach during exercise Cobra Gold 2012 here, Feb. 10. The U.S. Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Royal Thai and Republic of Korea Marines conducted the multilateral assault to further strengthen the interoperability among the nations. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Republic of Korea Marines rush from an amphibious assault vehicle during an assault on a beach during exercise Cobra Gold 2012 here, Feb. 10. The U.S. Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Royal Thai and Republic of Korea Marines conducted the multilateral assault to further strengthen the interoperability among the nations. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Williams, a Marine Attack Squadron 311 avionics technician, cleans parts in a AV-8 Harrier wing here Feb. 8. Six AV-8B Harriers, along with approximately 150 VMA-311 Marines, flew into the Western Pacific as part of the::r::::n::Unit Deployment Program to further the squadron’s training and maintain a high level of mission readiness. - Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Williams, a Marine Attack Squadron 311 avionics technician, cleans parts in a AV-8 Harrier wing here Feb. 8. Six AV-8B Harriers, along with approximately 150 VMA-311 Marines, flew into the Western Pacific as part of the::r::::n::Unit Deployment Program to further the squadron’s training and maintain a high level of mission readiness.

Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit unload their gear and equipment off of a Navy landing craft here, Feb. 8. The Marines aboard the landing craft were some of the first elements of the 31st MEU to arrive in Thailand for Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward deployed MEU and remains the nations’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit unload their gear and equipment off of a Navy landing craft here, Feb. 8. The Marines aboard the landing craft were some of the first elements of the 31st MEU to arrive in Thailand for Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward deployed MEU and remains the nations’ force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

A Marine Company A, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, moves into position as Royal Thai Marines provide security during a small boat raid here, Feb. 8. The Marines were conducting the boat raid during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012, an annual exercise hosted by the Kingdom of Thailand. CG 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - A Marine Company A, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, moves into position as Royal Thai Marines provide security during a small boat raid here, Feb. 8. The Marines were conducting the boat raid during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012, an annual exercise hosted by the Kingdom of Thailand. CG 2012 demonstrates the resolve of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The 31st MEU is the U.S.’s expeditionary force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.