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. 22, 2018

Cobra Gold 18: Engineering Project Produces New Building for the Community

By Staff Sgt. Justin Silvers III Marine Expeditionary Force

KORAT, THAILAND -- Military service members from the Kingdom of Thailand, the United States, China, school educators, and members of the local community gathered together to see the official opening of a newly constructed building, during a ceremony Feb. 22, 2018 in Korat, Kingdom of Thailand. The multi-purpose building was built at Nongphipadungkitwittaya School during Exercise Cobra Gold 2018.

Cobra Gold 18 maintains a consistent focus on Humanitarian Civic Assistance, community engagement, and medical activities conducted during the exercise to support the needs and humanitarian interests of civilian populations around the region.

The building was constructed by Royal Thai Army Soldiers from the 3rd Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, U.S. Army Soldiers from the 411th Engineer Battalion, 9th Mission Support Command, and Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Soldiers from the 74th Group Army, and was one of six Engineering Civic Assistance Projects during the exercise. The building is planned to be used for student education as well as other community activities.

The ceremony began with groups of students from Nongphipadungkitwittaya School performing dances on stage called Kissadapiniharn, and Chab Krab. Following the dances, the students presented silk scarves to commanders and service members as a gesture welcoming them to the Kingdom of Thailand. After being presented the scarves, service members from the Royal Thai Army,

United States Army, and People’s Liberation Army, and the Director of the Office of Nakhonratchasima Primary - Educational Service Area 3 spoke to the community and service members in attendance.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Henry L. Tennant, commander of the 411th Engineer Battalion, spoke on behalf of the U.S. Army engineers involved in the project.

“It is an honor to be here today, to express (our) gratitude for sharing time with us today at this dedication ceremony,” said Tennant. “There was a great deal of camaraderie during the construction; the locals, the Royal Thai Army, the U.S. Army, and the People’s Liberation Army working together to complete the same goal, this memorable building.

They worked side by side as they learned and exchanged ideas and techniques. They laughed, joked, and really got to bond with each other. This experience will always be embedded in their minds and hearts, and I hope you all feel the same way.

We don’t want to say this is a goodbye, but rather as the beginning of a beautiful relationship.”

Following their speeches, Tennant and other commanders in attendance toured the building, while Phratham Worranayok, Provincial Primate Advisor of Nakhon Ratchasima and a Buddist Monk, blessed the building. Upon exiting the building, commanders stopped at designated trees in front of the multi-purpose building, and together with students, helped pour soil over the trees. The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the building’s sign, officially opening the building up to the community.

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





































KORAT, THAILAND --


Military service members from the Kingdom of Thailand, the United States, China, school educators, and members of the local community gathered together to see the official opening of a newly constructed building, during a ceremony Feb. 22, 2018 in Korat, Kingdom of Thailand. The multi-purpose building was built at Nongphipadungkitwittaya School during Exercise Cobra Gold 2018. Cobra Gold 18 maintains a consistent focus on Humanitarian Civic Assistance, community engagement, and medical activities conducted during the exercise to support the needs and humanitarian interests of civilian populations around the region.

The building was constructed by Royal Thai Army Soldiers from the 3rd Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, U.S. Army Soldiers from the 411th Engineer Battalion, 9th Mission Support Command, and Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Soldiers from the 74th Group Army, and was one of six Engineering Civic Assistance Projects during the exercise. The building is planned to be used for student education as well as other community activities.

The ceremony began with groups of students from Nongphipadungkitwittaya School performing dances on stage called Kissadapiniharn, and Chab Krab. Following the dances, the students

presented silk scarves to commanders and service members as a gesture welcoming them to the Kingdom of Thailand. After being presented the scarves, service members from the Royal Thai Army, United States Army, and People’s Liberation Army, and the Director of the Office of Nakhonratchasima Primary - Educational Service Area 3 spoke to the community and service members in attendance.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Henry L. Tennant, commander of the 411th Engineer Battalion, spoke on behalf of the U.S. Army engineers involved in the project.

“It is an honor to be here today, to express (our) gratitude for sharing time with us today at this dedication ceremony,” said Tennant. “There was a great deal of camaraderie during the construction; the locals, the Royal Thai Army, the U.S. Army, and the People’s Liberation Army working together to complete the same goal, this memorable building. They worked side by side as they learned and exchanged ideas and techniques. They laughed, joked, and really got to bond with each other. This experience will always be embedded in their minds and hearts, and I hope you all feel the same way.

We don’t want to say this is a goodbye, but rather as the beginning of a beautiful relationship.”

Following their speeches, Tennant and other commanders in attendance toured the building, while Phratham Worranayok, Provincial Primate Advisor of Nakhon Ratchasima and a Buddist Monk, blessed the building. Upon exiting the building, commanders stopped at designated trees in front of the multi-purpose building, and together with students, helped pour soil over the trees. The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the building’s sign, officially opening the building up to the community.

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

Like Us
X
363,194
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
DIU Partners With AUKUS Pillar II for International Prize Challenge
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 26, 2024 - The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is launching the first trilateral prize challenge through AUKUS Pillar II— a defense and security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (U.S.)— to...

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Andrew Winternitz Concludes Trip to Japan for Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 26, 2024 - Department of Defense spokesperson Lt. Col. Martin Meiners provided the following readout...

Marines, Sailors Participate in Holi Festival and Community Events at Tiger TRIUMPH
U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Maxwell Gallahan, center left, a platoon commander assigned to Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participate in musical chairs at a community relations event during Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH in Visakhapatnam, India, March 22, 2024. Tiger TRIUMPH is a U.S.-India tri-service amphibious exercise focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief readiness and interoperability. Tiger TRIUMPH enables U.S. and Indian Armed Forces to improve interoperability and bilateral, joint, and service readiness in the Indian Ocean region and beyond to better achieve mutual regional security objectives. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Robert Nanna)
March 26, 2024 - Marines and Sailors of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embraced India's culture during celebrations, athletic exchanges, and community relations engagements as they participate in Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024...

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Minister of National Defence Judith Collins of New Zealand
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 25, 2024 - Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Ryder provided the following readout...

First of its kind deployment of Marine cyber forces to the INDO-PACOM Theater
Marines with Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command pose for photos in the cyber operations center at Lasswell Hall aboard Fort Meade, Maryland, Feb. 5, 2020. MARFORCYBER Marines conduct offensive and defensive cyber operations in support of United States Cyber Command and operate, secure and defend the Marine Corps Enterprise Network. This image is a photo illustration.
March 25, 2024 - Marines assigned to U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyber Command deployed to Okinawa, Japan as part of the inaugural iteration of a new cyber rotational force concept...