SAF Participates in Exercise Cobra Gold

02 May 2005

BAN NONG LOM, TAK, (8 May) - Armed Forces CPT (NS) (DR) Ashim Dutt and Group Captain Lerpong share their experience during a medical civilian assistance programme (MEDCAP) as part of Exercise Cobra Gold '05. (Courtesy photo) (Released)

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), together with the , the United States Armed Forces and the Japanese Self Defence Force will be conducting Exercise Cobra Gold from 2 to 13 May 2005 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The SAF had sent observers to this annual multinational exercise since 1993 and became a full participant in 2000.

This year’s exercise will focus on international humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. The 86-member SAF contingent will be participating in the command post exercise phase of Exercise Cobra Gold, undertaking the role of staff planners for the multinational Combined Task Force alongside their Thai, US, and Japanese counterparts. The SAF delegation will be led by Chief Guards Officer, Brigadier-General Goh Kee Nguan, who is also the Assistant Combined Task Force Commander for the exercise. Observers for this year’s exercise include Australia, Canada, France, , India, , , , , and New Zealand.

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Exercise Cobra Gold enhances interoperability among the participating armed forces in areas such as joint operational planning processes, as well as command, control and co-ordination issues relating to HADR operations. Apart from enhancing professionalism, the exercise also promotes mutual understanding and friendship.

BAN JINGTEENUEAN, Thailand (10 May) - Singapore Army MSG Timothy Rajah examines a local during a Medical Civil Action Program (MEDCAP) visit in support of Exercise Cobra Gold ‘05. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon) (Released)

BAN HUAI PHU, TAK, THAILAND (7 May) - Singapore Armed Forces MAJ (DR) Poon Beng Hoon (center) talks to a patient during a medical civilian assistance programme (MEDCAP) as part of Exercise Cobra Gold '05. MAJ (DR) Poon is the mission leader for the Singapore MEDCAP team. (Courtesy photo) (Released)

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BAN HUAI PHU, TAK, THAILAND (7 May) - Singapore Armed Forces dental officer CPT (NS) (DR) Ashim Dutt (left), examines a patient during a medical civilian assistance programme (MEDCAP) as part of Exercise Cobra Gold '05. (Courtesy photo) (Released)

BAN HUAI PHU, TAK, THAILAND (7 May) - A Singapore Armed Forces preventive medical officer (left) surveys a water source as part of Exercise Cobra Gold '05's medical civilian assistance programme (MEDCAP). The collected water samples will be tested for potability and the reports will be subsequently given to the local health authorities. (Courtesy photo) (Released)

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BAN NONG LOM, TAK, THAILAND (8 May) - A Singapore Armed Forces medical officer examines a patient during a medical civilian assistance programme (MEDCAP) as part of Exercise Cobra Gold '05. (Courtesy photo) (Released)

BAN NONG LOM, TAK, THAILAND (8 May) - Medical healthcare professionals from Thailand, US and Singapore work together to provide primary healthcare, primary dental care and preventive medicine during a medical civilian assistance programme (MEDCAP) as part of Exercise Cobra Gold '05. (Courtesy photo) (Released)

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