SAMAESAN, Kingdom of Thailand -- Royal Thai and U.S. Marines participated in a nonlethal combative exercise Feb. 12 during Exercise Cobra Gold 2014 at Camp Samaesan, Kingdom of Thailand.
CG 14 is designed to advance regional security and ensure effective response to regional crises by exercising a robust multinational force from nations sharing common goals and security commitments in the Asia-Pacific region. Nonlethal training is a fitting part of CG 14 because it contributes to security and response readiness at the law enforcement and personal security level.
In the cool of the shade, Staff Sgt. Eric Ellenbergers, a platoon sergeant with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, demonstrated how to safely assemble, load, and fire a 9MM Beretta for the Royal Thai 1st Marine Battalion.
Known as the “King’s Guard,” the 1st Marine Battalion utilizes rifles and are not as familiar with pistols.
After the demonstration, Marines from the 3rd LE Battalion, and 4th LE Battalion, Force Headquarters Group, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve, paired up with trainees to practice firing techniques.
“This has been a good experience,” said Ellenbergers. “The Thai are very receptive to what we have to teach them and in turn they are willing to share with us and give us pointers.”