An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Feb. 20, 2018

Cobra Gold 18: Japan, Malaysia, U.S. and Thailand Practice NEO and Rescue of Japanese Nationals Overseas

By Petty Officer 3rd Class Ian M Kinkead III Marine Expeditionary Force

UTAPAO, Thailand -- The Noncombatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) and Rescue of Japanese Nationals (RJNO) were conducted as part of Exercise Cobra Gold 18. The Thai-U.S. co-sponsored exercise increases cooperation, interoperability and collaboration among partner nations in order to achieve effective solutions to common challenges.

Governments around the world initiate the NEO when their citizens are in danger in a host foreign nation, typically as a result of a deteriorating security situation or a natural disaster. In 1991, multiple nations evacuated the Philippines due to the eruption of Mount Pinatubo.

“This is one mission all of us can get behind,” said First Lieutenant Michael Simpson, from Lodi, New Jersey. “The ability to safely evacuate our personnel out of a country and get them back to a safe haven is a mission that all nations agree upon.”

The NEO/RJNO practiced at Cobra Gold 18 simulated the processing of evacuees. The evacuees played roles that military personnel then had to respond to. Some of the role players were told to forget important documents, others were assigned injuries or medical conditions and some were given VIP status.

The evacuees, role players from the participating countries, moved in stages through the NEO/RJNO. When they first arrived at the airport via ground transportation, they had their passports checked, and they received a quick security pat down before moving to the reception area. At the reception area, the evacuees were separated by nationality and had to show proper documentation before being escorted inside the hangar.

Once inside, they would go through their countries' screening and security process as well as fill out paperwork that would help keep track of them during the evacuation process.

Following the individual country screening and administration process, the role players were escorted to an area where they waited to evacuate from the airport.

The RJNO and NEO concluded with the boarding of evacuees onto their countries respected C-130 aircraft. They all then took off for a short flight before landing at the same airport.

“It was a phenomenal opportunity to work alongside our partner nations,” said Simpson. “I certainly learned a lot. There are difficulties with working with our partner nations, so it's good we can all get on the same page.”

By working together in events like the RJNO and NEO at Cobra Gold 18, partner nations are addressing shared goals and security commitments in the Indo-Pacific region while ensuring effective responses to regional crises.

Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 is an annual exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Thailand held from February 13-23 with seven full participating nations.
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander leads U.S. Interagency Delegation to Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea’s Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso (left) meets with Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (right), in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on July 15, 2024. Paparo reiterated U.S. commitment to the country through new and sustained initiatives in a whole-of-government approach, leading a interagency delegation that included Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper, special assistant to the president and National Security Council senior director for East Asia and Oceania; Daniel Krittenbrink, Department of State assistant secretary for the bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs; Michael Schiffer, U.S. Agency for International Development assistant administrator of the bureau for Asia; and Anka Lee, deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia, joined by U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and the Republic of Vanuatu Ann Marie Yastishock, to highlight the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Papua New Guinea based on shared history and values. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon M. Smith)
July 16, 2024 - PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea — Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, led an interagency delegation to Papua New Guinea from July 14-16, 2024, where he met with senior military and government...

Does the Army Float?: 105th Surgical Augmentation Detachment Embarks USS Somerset (LPD 25)
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Keaton Holt (left), a Tulsa, Oklahoma native, and Army Sgt. 1st Class Derek Story, a Fort Worth, Texas native, transport a patient during a medical emergency exercise aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 while underway in the Pacific Ocean, July 13. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Evan Diaz)
July 15, 2024 - For many, the first image that comes to mind upon hearing Army/Navy is the annual football game between the two rival service academies. For midshipmen and cadets, inter-service competition is instilled in them from the...

Fighter Squadron 147, Fleet Logistics Squadron 30 Detachment to Forward Deploy to Japan
July 15, 2024 - The U.S. Navy announced today that Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 and Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30, Detachment Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) will forward deploy to Iwakuni, Japan...

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting with Singapore Minister for Defense Ng Eng Hen
July 15, 2024 - Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met today with Singapore Minister of Defense Ng Eng Hen at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C...

Largest Pitch Black Exercise opens for U.S. and 19 nations
The Honorable Eva Lawler, Chief Minister for the Australian Northern Territory, speaks to participants of Exercise Pitch Black 24 during the opening ceremony in Darwin, Australia July 12, 2024. This year marks the first time Spain and Italy will participate, increasing the European footprint in the region and showcasing evolving capabilities to come together for Joint and Combined Force movements for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jimmie D. Pike)
July 14, 2024 - Exercise Pitch Black 2024, the largest iteration of the Royal Australian Air Force's premiere biennial flying exercise, officially opened on July 12 in Darwin, Australia during a ceremony held at the Darwin Convention Center...