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ROK marines storm beach in war games with US
HAT YAO BEACH, Thailand -- More than 800 U.S., Thai and South Korean marines stormed a beach in Thailand on Thursday with Seoul joining the annual joint war games for the first time. The three-week Cobra Gold exercise sends a message that the United States will have a continued presence in the Asia-Pacific region, and the military is one aspect of that presence, said Lt. Gen. Benjamin Mixon, Commander of the U.S. Army, Pacific.The core exercise, being held for the 29th time, will focus on peacekeeping operations and humanitarian and disaster responses. Mixon said South Korea's participation was exciting. "South Korea is a leader in the Asia-Pacific region, and this just underscores their importance in the peace and stability within the region," he said. Singapore, Japan and Indonesia also are participating in the war games involving 11,500 military personnel. On Thursday, the three countries' marines and U.S. Navy Seals charged onto a beach southeast of Bangkok from 24 amphibious vehicles as helicopters clattered overhead and simulated explosions erupted along the shore. Posted by: Steve White 2010-02-05 |
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