JUKE SAMED PIER, Thailand -- The Landing Force participating in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2010, arrived here May 13. Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. The LF is scheduled to conduct bilateral training with the Royal Thai Marine Corps May 13-20.
The purpose of this training evolution is to maintain a strong working relationship with the Royal Thai armed forces and exchange knowledge and tactics during each training event that is scheduled to take place.
Throughout the week, training will include Thai boxing/Marine Corps Martial Arts Program exchange, jungle warfare, combat marksmanship, improvised explosive device/explosive ordnance disposal exchange, RTMC Museum visit, and two separate multi-wave amphibious assaults.
“It’s combined at every level and that makes it unique,” said Maj. Charles E. Hawthorne, commanding officer, LF, native of Amarillo Texas. “It’s a common theme throughout CARAT 2010; our Marines need to come away with a better understanding of their counterparts in each country. If our Marines come away with an understanding of how our Royal Thai Marine counterparts think and operate and we’ve made friends – then it is a success.”
A unique aspect of the training evolution in Thailand is the bilateral amphibious assault training. Thailand is the only country the LF is visiting that has an amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) platoon equivalent. This allows the Marine AAV platoon to have the opportunity to exchange tactics and operating procedures with their RTMC counterparts.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for us as AAV’s because the Thai Marines are experts at their MOS (Military Occupational Specialty), and I am looking forward to driving their Amtraks,” said Lance Cpl. Anthony Meadows, crewman, 3rd Section, AVV Platoon, Company A, native of Livermore, Calif. “We will get to see how they do things compared to how we do things – and maybe try some of their SOPs (Standard Operating Procedure).”
The Marines of the LF will also have the opportunity to experience the Thai culture. During each training event, the Marines will be integrated with Royal Thai Marines and will be able to explore the differences of the American and Thai culture.
“Our Marines are going to come out of Thailand just as impressed as they did when they came from Brunei because Thailand has a completely different culture,” Hawthorne said. “I’m really looking forward to it. I know I am not alone in being excited about being able to kick off Thailand CARAT 2010, and I think the Royal Thai’s are excited too.”
The LF has a busy training schedule with multiple training events scheduled each day. Through each training event, the Marines of the LF have an opportunity to learn different ways to execute their jobs while they exchange tactics and knowledge.
“One of the biggest things that we will get out of this exercise is being able to work alongside professionals,” Hawthorne said. “The Royal Thai Marines and Naval personnel I have spoken to have been very professional. I’m looking forward to the exchange here because of that – it’s good to deal with professionals.”