U.S., Thai troops begin joint drills<\/p>\n
THAILAND: Some 6,300 U.S. and Thai troops began a two-week
\nmilitary drill in Thailand on Monday focusing on disaster relief,
\nthe U.S. Embassy said, four months after a tsunami devastated
\nsouthern coastal areas.<\/p>\n
U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Ralph L. Boyce said the 24th Cobra
\nGold exercises would build on past drills that had contributed to
\nthe success of relief efforts in the aftermath of the tsunami
\nthat killed more than 5,000 people in this Southeast Asian
\nnation.<\/p>\n
\"Based on our shared experiences in responding to the
\ndevastation of the Dec. 26 tsunami that affected this region, we
\nhave decided to reshape Cobra Gold this year to improve our
\nability to respond together to future disasters in this part of
\nthe world,\" Boyce said at a ceremony in the northern city of
\nChiang Mai to launch the drill, according to an embassy
\nstatement.<\/p>\n
The training exercises will include a workshop and computer-
\nassisted exercise in Chiang Mai, the statement said.<\/p>\n
Thai and U.S. troops will take part in field training
\nexercises to improve basic military skills, including air-to-air,
\nmaritime patrolling and antimine operations in sites around the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
Some 3,644 U.S. and 2,655 Thai soldiers will be joined by 76
\nSingaporean and 20 Japanese self-defense troops in the exercises,
\nthe statement said. --AP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-thai-troops-begin-joint-drills-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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