SAF participates in multilateral exercise in Thailand

The Singapore Armed Forces, together with its counterparts from the US, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia, is taking part in a multilateral exercise focused on peace support and stability operations starting from Monday.

Exercise Cobra Gold is being held in Chiang Mai, Thailand until Feb 21.

Participants of the exercise include the United States Pacific Command (US PACOM), Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF), Japan Self-Defense Force, the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, Indonesian National Defence Forces and Malaysian Armed Forces.

The 48-member SAF contingent participating in this year's exercise is led by Brigadier-General Chia Choon Hoong, Commander of the 9th Division, a Ministry of Defence (Mindef) statement said.

SAF personnel will undertake the role of staff planners for the Multinational Combined Task Force, alongside their counterparts from the other participating nations.

On the sidelines of the exercise, an SAF team, together with the US PACOM and the RTARF, will construct a multipurpose hall and sanitation facilities for the local population under a civic action programme.

Exercise Cobra Gold "promotes mutual understanding, friendship and professionalism among the personnel of the participating armed forces," the ministry statement said.

Representatives from 10 other countries are also involved in this year's exercise as observers. The SAF has been a full participant of this multilateral exercise since 2000.

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