by Dona Fair

For the son of a Tryon couple, providing humanitarian aid, civic assistance and military training to a country known for deadly cobra snakes, Buddhist temples and shrimp pad Thai was quite an experience recently.

Navy Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Edgar S. Nicholson, son of Eddie and Sandra Nicholson of Prayer Tree Lane, Tryon, was one of more than 7,200 U.S. service members involved in Cobra Gold 2011, the largest multi-lateral military training exercise in the Pacific region. Sponsored by the Royal Thai Supreme Command and the United States, Cobra Gold is conducted annually throughout the Kingdom of Thailand. This year’s participants were Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, United States and the Republic of Korea.

“I control the craft landing zone,” said Nicholson, a 2002 graduate of Polk County High School. “We assist with off loading and on loading all vehicles and personnel from the landing craft air cushion.”

Cobra Gold 2011 marks the 30th anniversary of the Cobra Gold Exercise and has developed into an important symbol of the U.S. military’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in Asia. The exercise provides realistic training, improves efficiency through military coordination, and tests military operations.

Service members work on their tactical skills and test their ability to operate in a joint, multinational environment. These range from amphibious assaults to engineering and medical humanitarian and civic assistance projects geared toward improving the quality of life of the Thai people.

This type of training gives Nicholson a chance to improve his individual skills and experience the culture of other countries.

“The exercise is always great to help continue our relations with Thailand,” said Nicholson, a ramp marshal assigned to Sasebo, Japan. “This is my second year in a row with this exercise.”

With its lush jungles, exotic beaches and its precarious animal wildlife, Thailand is quite a contrast to the hustle and bustle of the United States. Instead of the huge shopping malls that Nicholson and the others are accustomed to, street markets abound with sellers who pack their wares – a variety of tropical fruits, flowers, food, clothing and jewelry, into small kiosks, bargaining with customers to get the best price for their items.

“The people here are very friendly and I have enjoyed the training and relationships we have in Thailand,” said Nicholson, who has been in the military for five years.

In an age where it is just as important for countries to support peace operations, Nicholson and his multi-national military partners understand firsthand what it takes to bring many countries together to be able to respond to disasters such as recent tsunamis and cyclones, and provide humanitarian assistance around the world.

For more photos, check out the Cobra Gold 2011 photo gallery on the home page.