190212-N-ZH960-1693 PHITSANULOK, Thailand (Feb. 12, 2019) Peter Haymond, left, Chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Thailand, conducts interviews during the opening ceremony for Exercise Cobra Gold 19 at the Akathotsarot Camp in Phitsanulok Province, Feb. 12, 2019. Haymond was joined by the ambassadors of Japan and the Republic of Korea and representatives from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, as well as many other dignitaries and national leaders representing other participating nations. Cobra Gold is one of the largest theater security cooperation exercises in the Indo-Pacific and is an integral part of the U.S. commitment to strengthen engagement in the region. Cobra Gold 19, the 38th iteration of this exercise, emphasizes coordination on civic action, such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, seeking to expand regional cooperation and collaboration in these vital areas. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew P. Holmes/Released)