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Cobra Gold 2026 Concludes in Thailand With 30 Nations and 8,000 Troops

Extensive National Guard participation highlighted enduring U.S.–Thai ties.

Overview

  • The U.S. and Thailand co-hosted the 45th iteration from Feb. 24 to March 6, assembling roughly 8,000 personnel from about 30 countries for the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia.
  • Training spanned more than 15 events across amphibious and counter‑amphibious operations, a command-post exercise, and humanitarian civic assistance and cultural exchanges.
  • Multi-domain integration expanded through cyber and space elements, including a CYBEREX that brought more than 150 specialists from eight nations to counter realistic network attacks affecting air defense, power grids, air traffic control and logistics.
  • More than 25 years of Guard involvement continued, with over 1,400 U.S. Army personnel on site and 91 from the Washington National Guard, leveraging state-partnership relationships to speed coordination with Thai forces.
  • Partner forces broadened participation, as South Korea deployed the ROKS Nojeokbong and introduced K-30W Chunho air-defense guns and AT-1K Raybolt missiles, while planners now turn lessons learned toward Cobra Gold 2027.