03/25/2016: Sgt. Eric M. Ekelund prepares an MV-22B Osprey to land the tactical recovery of aircraft and personal force during a Cobra Gold 16 demonstration at Utapao, Thailand February 15.
During the scenario-based training the MV-22B Osprey unloads the TRAP force personnel so they can continue on foot to rescue the simulated casualty.
Cobra Gold is a multi-national exercise that focuses on increasing relationships and capabilities of participating countries by training to form solutions to common challenges.
Ekelund, from Bay Shore, New York is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.
Practicing TRAP missions allows the TRAP force to have the experience to respond quickly and accurately if an evacuation is needed.
Cobra Gold is designed to advance interoperability, and increase capacity to plan and conduct combined task force to respond rapidly and effectively to regional crises.
Credit:III Marine Expeditionary Force / Marine Corps Installations Pacific:2/15/16