The US traning Hun Xen's troops that never help innocent Cambodians?

More often than not, Hun Xen's troops are brought in to intimidate innocent villagers who are protesting against land-grabbing by high-ranking government officials (Photos: The Phnom Penh Post)

Hun Xen's soldiers used in forced land eviction in Kratie province even sport gears bearing what looks like US flag (Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

Cambodia, US conduct exercise

6/22/2012
By Lance Cpl. Nicholas S. Ranum
Marine Corps Bases Japan

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia — Members of the Royal Cambodian Navy and Air Force shared medical techniques with sailors of 3rd Medical Battalion at Ream Naval Base here June 5-6.

The battalion, a part of Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, is in Cambodia for Cambodia Medical Exercise 2012.

The exercise serves to enhance military-to-military relations between the U.S. military, Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Cambodian government medical personnel. It allows both nations to conduct joint medical operations, improve interoperability, and foster good will.

China top military paper warns of armed confrontation over seas

Filipino and U.S. soldiers take part in an ambush drill during a Philippine-U.S. troops joint military exercise in Ternate town, Cavite city, south of Manila April 19, 2012. (Credit: Reuters/Romeo Ranoco)

By Chris Buckley
BEIJING | Sat Apr 21, 2012

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's top military newspaper warned the United States on Saturday that U.S.-Philippine military exercises have fanned risks of armed confrontation over the disputed South China Sea.

The commentary in China's Liberation Army Daily falls short of a formal government statement, but marks the harshest high-level warning yet from Beijing about tensions with the Philippines over disputed seas where both countries have recently sent ships to assert their claims.

This week American and Filipino troops launched a fortnight of annual naval drills amid the stand-off between Beijing and Manila, who have accused each other of encroaching on sovereign seas near the Scarborough Shoal, west of a former U.S. navy base at Subic Bay.

U.S., Cambodian Military Drill Ends Successfully [-More of Hun Xen's bodyguards trained by the US?]

US Army gear used by Hun Xen's violent cops?

2012-03-24
Xinhua

The 12-day joint U. S., Cambodian military exercise Angkor Sentinel 2012 ended successfully on Friday.

The closing ceremony was held at the Training School for Multi-national Peacekeeping Forces in Kampong Speu province, about 48 kilometers west of Phnom Penh, under the presidency of the four- star general Chay Sang Yun, a secretary of state for the Cambodian Defense Ministry, and Jeff Daigle, Charge d'Affairs of the U.S. Embassy to Cambodia.

"The drill was a very good opportunity for Cambodian and U.S. military personnel to create closer friendship relations and to build better military ties between the two countries," said Chay Sang Yun, adding that about 450 Cambodian armed forces joined the drill.

He said that the exercise was also good to exchange experience between the two armies.

Daigle said the U.S. would still continue helping Cambodia in military sector through providing military materials such as clothes and vehicles, but not weapons.

RCAF, US troops on alert for Sentinel

Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Vong Sokheng
The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodian and United States soldiers are set to kick-off the third annual Angkor Sentinel today, a bilateral military exchange.

The 10-day exercise, which will take place in Kampong Speu and Kampot provinces, is designed to boost the defence relationship between the two countries; 100 soldiers from the US will participate along with 420 members of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

“We hope to promote stronger experiences for our members of RCAF for humanitarian missions,” Ministry of Defense spokesman Chhum Socheat told the Post yesterday.

U.S., Royal Cambodian Navies Head to Sea for CARAT 2011 Exercise

October 21, 2011
Source: defpro.news

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia | U.S. and royal Cambodian navies began their 2nd annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Cambodia exercise Oct. 20, with a pierside opening ceremony at the port of Sihanoukville.

"Last year marked an important step forward in the relationships between the U.S. and Cambodian Navies," said Rear Adm. Tom Carney, commander, U.S. Navy's Task Force 73. "This year, for the first time, a ship from the U.S. Navy, one of our newest destroyers, will be getting underway with royal Cambodian navy ships for a series of at-sea events."

During the week-long exercise, Sailors and from both countries are participating in training exchanges ashore on topics as diverse as maritime domain awareness, vessel boarding procedures, dive and salvage operations and various maritime symposia. U.S. Navy Seabees are joining royal Cambodian armed forces engineers in renovating a public health clinic and drilling water wells at a local school, while U.S. Navy and Cambodian divers conduct pier inspections and remove hazards to navigation. Additionally, several friendship-building events are planned, including band concerts at public parks and schools in Phnom Penh, and community service projects, receptions and sporting events between forces of both nations.

Angkor Sentinel officially begins with opening ceremony [-On how the US army helps train a land-grabbing/human rights violation army?]

Story by Russell Dodson
US Army

KAMPONG SPEU PROVINCE, Cambodia – Angkor Sentinel 2011 officially began with an opening ceremony May 18 at the Training School for Multi-National Peace Keeping Forces, Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia.

The bulk of the ceremony centered on speeches from Brig. Gen. Michael Liechty, land component commander, Utah Army National Guard, and Lt. Gen. Sem Sovanny, director-general of the National Center for Peacekeeping Force, Mine and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance, Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

Sovanny said the “exercise is… focused on exchanging knowledge, respecting, loving, and unifying among other forces regardless of who we are, our languages, religions, cultures and traditions.”

In addition to RCAF and U.S. soldiers, personnel from other countries will be participating in Angkor Sentinel 11 as well, which will bring the tally of participants to more than 500 Soldiers.

Did the RCAF put up a show for the US Army?

Pfc. Jamiel Jones of Memphis, Tenn., who serves with 544th Engineer Company, 52nd Eng. Battalion, 555th Eng. Brigade, plasters a latrine on the construction site of a new school at the village of Taing Sia during Angkor Sentinel 2011, May 16. The school is one of the Engineer Civic Action Projects of Angkor Sentinel 11, a bilateral training exercise supporting peace support operations co-sponsored by U.S. Army Pacific and the RCAF. (Photo by Russell Dodson)

News: RCAF, US Army engineers build school in Cambodia during Angkor Sentinel 11

Friday, May 20, 2011
Courtesy Story By Staff Sgt. Whitney Houston
U.S. Army

KAMPONG SPEU PROVINCE, Cambodia – Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and U.S. Army engineers continue construction of a new school in Taing Sia Village, Kampong Speu Province May 16, as part of the Engineer Civic Action Projects of exercise Angkor Sentinel 11.

Angkor Sentinel 11 is a peace support operations exercise co-sponsored by U.S. Army Pacific and RCAF designed to improve military mission readiness and effectiveness of all participating countries.

U.S. engineers of 544th Engineer. Company, 52nd Eng. Battalion, 555th Eng. Brigade, out of Fort Carson, Colo., have been in Cambodia since late March, often working around the clock to ensure the school is finished on schedule.

Cambodia Readies for More Peacekeeping Training

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Monday, 16 May 2011

“I think that this exercise is very importance to increase the cooperation between US and Cambodian military forces.” (sic!)

Military forces from the US and Cambodia, are training in Cambodia this week, to better coordinate peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, officials said Monday.

More than 400 personnel will take part in training exercises that begin Wednesday in Kampong Speu province and run through May 27.

About 140 US personnel, 375 Cambodians and support teams from Indonesia, Malaysia and Mongolia are taking part, Ken Sosavoeun, deputy director for the National Center for Peacekeeping, a military agency, said.

Following training, Cambodian personnel will rotate through UN peacekeeping operations in Sudan, Lebanon, Chad and Central Africa, he said.

Multinational military exercise kicks off in Cambodia

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

May 16, 2011

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) – The "Angkor Sentinel 2011" multinational peacekeeping military exercise kicked off Monday at Cambodia's military commanding headquarters in Kampong Speu province, some 50 kilometers west of Phnom Penh, a senior military official said Monday.

The exercise, co-hosted by the United States, involves 300 members of the Cambodian armed forces, 200 ones of the U.S. Army Pacific, and some others from Mongolia, Indonesia and Nepal, said Lt. Gen. Chhum Socheat, the spokesman for Cambodian Defense Ministry.

"It's to strengthen and expand cooperation between Cambodia and the United States in peacekeeping operations and humanitarian activities," he said.

Cambodia, U.S. hold maritime exercise off Cambodian coast

(Photo: DAP-news)

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 27 (AP) - (Kyodo)—Cambodia and the United States began a four-day maritime drill off the Cambodian coast on Sunday aimed at building capacity to deal with regional humanitarian disasters.

Lt. Gen. Chhum Socheat, spokesman of Cambodia's National Defense Ministry, said the exercise, which will last until Wednesday, involves 500 troops from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and U.S. Marines.

The U.S. military said elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are participating in the exercise, which includes a port call, English engagement exchanges and community relations projects.

The exercise "ensures that the region is adequately prepared for regional humanitarian disasters, such as the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, by allowing partner nations to work together and build relationships before a critical need develops," the public affairs office of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit said.

U.S. Warship Arrives in Cambodia for Maritime Drill

February 26, 2011
Xinhua

The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) of the United States arrived in Cambodia's Sihanoukville Port on Saturday morning to participate in the Cambodian Maritime Exercise, starting from Feb. 27 to March 2, according to the media release from the U.S. embassy in Phnom Penh.

The 31st MEU includes more than 2,200 marines and sailors, and is comprised of a command element, a reinforced infantry battalion, a composite helicopter squadron and a combat logistics battalion.

The warship's participation in the exercise is part of the U.S. Pacific Command's Theater Security Cooperation Program.

"The bilateral exercise will provide unique and dynamic opportunities for cooperation between the U.S. and Cambodian military, while promoting relationship-building between militaries and local communities,"the press release said on Saturday.

Cambodian, U.S naval forces to conduct joint drill this weekend

February 23, 2011
Xinhua

A Cambodian and the U.S. maritime exercise will be held in Cambodia from Feb. 27 to March 2 to exchange experience between the two countries' military forces in peacekeeping, said Chhum Socheat, spokesman for Cambodian Ministry of Defense, on Wednesday.

The drill will be conducted at three locations; one is at the naval base in Preah Sihanouk province, another at the tank commanding headquarters in Kampong Speu and the other at Pich Nil military base, he told reporters.

"It is to exchange experiences between the U.S. forces and our Cambodian forces, especially the process of peacekeeping,"he said, adding "some 500 Cambodian military forces and U.S. naval forces will be joined the drill."

It will be focusing on how to rescue victims of wars, how doctors help the injured and how to truck emergency food, and so on, he said, adding that he does not know the number of marines will be used in the drill.

Two Thai F16s crash during Cobra Gold

Wreckage of one of the two F16 fighters crash in Chaiyaphum on Feb 14, 2011. (Photo by Sutthipong Settharangsi)

14/02/2011
Bangkok Post

Two F16 fighters of the Thai air force taking part in the Cobra Gold 2011 exercise crashed on Monday morning in Chaiyaphum, but both pilots ejected safely, air force spokesman Monthon Satchukorn said.

Air Marshal Monthon said the two F16s disappeared from radar at 10.20am. They were part of a flight of four F16s which took off from Wing 1 of Nakhon Ratchasima to take part in the annual Cobra Gold exercise.

The planes crashed into the forest near Tat Ton waterfall between Lae Hu Kwang and Wang Phon villages in tambon Tha Hin Ngom in Muang district of Chaiyaphum province.

The spokesman said air force commander in chief Ithaporn Suphawong had ordered the Air Safety Division to set up an inquiry into the crash.

Two Thai F16 jets collided in mid-air and crashed during Cobra Gold War exercise

Pilots of two F16s crashes in Chaiyaphum are safe

Monday, February 14, 2011
The Nation

Chaiyaphum - Pilots of two F16 jet fighters which collided in mid-air during the Cobra Gold war exercise in Chaiyaphum province Monday morning ejected safely.

The Two F16 jet fighters taking part in the Cobra Gold war exercise collided mid-air and crashed on a mountain in Chaiyaphum Monday morning.

TV reports said pilots of the planes ejected themselves out of the planes in time.

The authorities have been trying to locate and recue the two pilots from the forest.

Vietnam did not join military exercise in Thailand

10/02/2011

VietNamNet Bridge - The Vietnamese Ministry of Defense denies the information that Vietnam has sent three military officers to join the Cobra Gold military exercises in Thailand, the largest drill in Southeast Asia.

The Ministry confirmed that Vietnam only sent one military attaché to Thailand to attend the opening ceremony.

Earlier, some local and foreign sources had reported that Vietnam and nine other countries - Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Britain, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal, and the Philippines – sent three personnel each to participate.

US Boots on the Ground Near Thai-Cambodian Border Fight

Thursday, 10 February 2011
By Richard S. Ehrlich
Scoop.co.nz

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thousands of U.S. troops are currently training Bangkok's poorly disciplined, coup-prone military to "defend Thailand" while a bloody artillery duel between Thailand and Cambodia has disrupted their border, and a decades-long southern Muslim insurgency smolders out of control.

America's 30th Cobra Gold, from February 7 to February 18, is one of the biggest multinational land-based military exercises on earth, involving 11,220 people, including 7,200 U.S. service members.

U.S. and other foreign forces are using Thailand's Vietnam war-era Utapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield in Chanthaburi province and other facilities, about 280 miles (450 kms) southwest of the fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border.

The U.S. Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Third Marine Expeditionary Force, is deployed in Korat, about 180 miles (290 kms) west of the clashes.

U.S. boots are on the ground in this Buddhist, Southeast Asian, non-NATO ally, while a shooting feud between Thailand and Cambodia has killed at least eight people on both sides, since February 4, along their border.

Cambodia prepares second military exercise with U.S. next year

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

December 13, 2010
Xinhua

Cambodia is planning its second military exercise with the United States next year, a senior military official said Monday.

Gen. Sem Sovanny, chairman of the National Center for Control of Peace Keeping, Demining, and Explosive Remnants of War, said at a one-day meeting on the initiative planning conference in Phnom Penh that the "Angkor Sentinel 2011" will be held next year at which the United States Army Pacific will be the main partner.

Initial plan for the next military exercise will be held in May 2011.

Sem Sovanny said Cambodia is satisfied with the success of the previous and first military exercise.

Cambodia conducted for the first time in July this year the large scale U.S. sponsored military exercise which was participated by some 1,000 military personnel from more than 20 countries.

The exercise was conducted in two forms: Command Post Exercise (CPX) from the hotel in Phnom Penh and Field Training Exercise ( FTX) in Kompong Speu province, about 50 kilometers from Phnom Penh.

The exercise was part of the United Nations Peacekeeping framework for strengthening peace and security, which is known as Global Peace Operations Initiatives (GPOI).

Cambodia's "Angkor Sentinel 2010" military exercise ends

July 30, 2010
Xinhua

A two-week multi-nations' military exercise that began in Cambodia in mid-July ended Friday.

In his speech in Kompong Speu province, about 50 kilometers west of Phnom Penh, Tea Banh, deputy prime minister and minister of national defense said the military exercise was successful and hoped that Cambodia, in the future, will again be a host and home for international military exercises in the form of the peacekeeping operations.

He, meanwhile, reiterated that the exercise was nothing related to threat or show of muscle to any country, but for a purpose of strengthening security and peace in the region.

The military exercise was conducted in two forms of "command post" and "field exercise".

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen presided over the "field exercise" that began on July 17 in Kompong Speu province, while the "command post" was conducted in Phnom Penh was presided over by Gen. Moeng Samphan, vice minister of National Defense.

Delivering speech at the field exercise, Hun Sen said the exercise has "opened a new page to integrate Cambodia into the region and the world and will also strengthen and expand Cambodia' s capacity in supporting peace operation, enhancing multi -lateral cooperation as well as strengthening international relations and regional partnership for the cause of peace and humanity".

Both of the military exercises with official name of "Angkor Sentinel 2010"-- are part of the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI) program, the United Nations Peacekeeping framework for strengthening peace and security.

A total of 26 countries and two international organizations, including the United States, France, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, India, Italy, Germany, Japan, Mongolia and Britain, have participated in the Angkor Sentinel that invovled about 1,000 troops.

The previous exercises in GPOI framework were conducted in 2007 in Khaan Quest in Mongolia, in Shanti Doot of Bangladesh in 2008 and Garuda Shield in Indonesia in 2009.

Peacekeeping Exercises Open Amid Concerns

Multiple peacekeeping exercises that include troops from 26 countries began today and will carry through the end of the month. (Photo: AP)

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Monday, 12 July 2010

“This is the first time in the history of the Cambodian military that we have hosted multi-national exercise training.”

Cambodia opened a massive peacekeeping exercise Tuesday that is supported by the US. But Human Rights Watch says the choice of Cambodia for the operation, Angkor Sentinel, undermines US human rights diplomacy.

Multiple peacekeeping exercises that include troops from 26 countries began today and will carry through the end of the month as part of a global peacekeeping initiative supported by the US.

“For the Pentagon and State Department to permit abusive Cambodian military units to host a high-profile regional peacekeeping exercise is outrageous,” Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. “The United States undermines its protests against the Cambodian government for rampant rights abuses like forced evictions when it showers international attention and funds on military units involved in grabbing land and other human rights violations.”

However, Cambodian military officials welcomed the exercises, which will include more than 1,000 troops from countries as diverse as China, India, the US, Tonga and Brunei and are aimed at improving the abilities of those countries to conduct UN operations together.

“This is the first time in the history of the Cambodian military that we have hosted multi-national exercise training,” said Nem Sowath, a three-star general and chairman of the exchange subcommittee.

The training will include command post exercises at a hotel in Phnom Penh followed by field training exercises in Kampong Speu province.

Thailand backs Korean role [in Thailand's Cobra Gold miliraty exercises]

12/01/2010
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

The armed forces have defended the involvement of South Korea in the Cobra Gold military exercises for the first time this year.

Gen Ratchakrit Kanchanawat, the joint chief of staff of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, said the exercises were designed for peace-keeping purposes and had nothing to do with the "balance of global power".

South Korea, which will send 411 soldiers with their own weapons, has been given permission to play an active part in the annual Cobra Gold exercises with the backing of co-hosts Thailand and the US, Gen Ratchakrit said yesterday.

South Korea had been an observer at the exercises for many years and shared similar military doctrines with Thailand and the US, so their participation was welcomed, he said.

"Don't be concerned about the balance of global or regional powers because of the inclusion of South Korea," he said. "Our aim is to hold a military exercise, keep peace and promote humanitarian aid."

Korea is the sixth country to take part in Cobra Gold, launched in 1982, joining Thailand, the US, Japan, Indonesia and Singapore. Under a Thai-US agreement, up to 10 countries could become involved in the exercises.

An army source said the US took an active role in backing Korea's participation after reports of joint military cooperation between North Korea and Burma.

It could be the first step for South Korea to have a more active role in Southeast Asia, the source said.

More than 11,600 soldiers, mostly from the US with 6,217 troops, will gather in provinces such as Rayong, Phetchaburi and Lop Buri from Feb 1 to 11.

Meanwhile, the US is also planning joint exercises with Cambodia, but Thai military officials are unconcerned even though Thailand has been at odds with its neighbour on overlapping boundaries.

"We understand the US. It is a drill for peace-keeping," Gen Ratchakrit said.