CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii - U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific hosted a delegation from the Royal Thai Marine Corps here May 8-9 for the first Marine-to-Marine Future Engagement Planning meetings between the U.S. and Thailand.  The talks were designed to establish a mechanism to better plan for operations and activities conducted bilaterally between MARFORPAC and the RTMC.

Lt. Gen. William Jurney, MARFORPAC commander, spoke to the importance of these talks and the future engagements that will come from them. "Our goal is more than just training and doing things together; we must be ready to respond to a variety of contingencies, " said Jurney. "Integrated efforts result in real, tangible operational capabilities for both of us."

Planners discussed focus group topics across all staff functions, and identified the training needs of each country in order to plan activities accordingly.  The staffs were able to identify and agree to plan toward some long-standing activities such as exercise Cobra Gold, as well as establish a consensus for some new initiatives. 

Planners intend to make these talks an annual event.  "We want to work together in the bonds of friendship to strengthen our readiness," said Jurney.