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	Royal Thai Army, US Soldiers Participate in Historic All-Female Airborne Course
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        <h1 class="title">Royal Thai Army, US Soldiers Participate in Historic All-Female Airborne Course</h1>
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            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2023/Aug/24/2003287708/1920/1080/0/230809-F-CW157-1006.JPG"
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                 alt="Nearly 100 female Royal Thai Army soldiers and members of the U.S. Special Operation Forces participated in first all-female Royal Thai Army Airborne Basic Course conducted by the Special Warfare School at Camp Erawan, Lop Buri, Thailand, Aug. 9, 2023. The United States and Thailand have nearly two centuries of diplomatic relations and have been security treaty allies for over 66 years. Our continued, face-to-face exchanges with our allies and partners are a foundation of a our bilateral relationships, and bolster understanding in the region that we are going to be a reliable partner in both good and bad times. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Theanne Tangen)"
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                <div class="image-title">230809-F-CW157-1006</div>
                <div class="image-caption">Nearly 100 female Royal Thai Army soldiers and members of the U.S. Special Operation Forces participated in first all-female Royal Thai Army Airborne Basic Course conducted by the Special Warfare School at Camp Erawan, Lop Buri, Thailand, Aug. 9, 2023. The United States and Thailand have nearly two centuries of diplomatic relations and have been security treaty allies for over 66 years. Our continued, face-to-face exchanges with our allies and partners are a foundation of a our bilateral relationships, and bolster understanding in the region that we are going to be a reliable partner in both good and bad times. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Theanne Tangen)</div>
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                 alt="A student of the Royal Thai Army conducts an airborne jump during one of the four required airborne operations to graduate from the first Royal Thai Army all-female Basic Airborne Course conducted by the RTA Special Warfare School at Camp Erawan, Lop Buri, Thailand, Aug. 8, 2023. Nearly 100 female RTA soldiers from Airborne Class 345 earned their Parachutist Badge after completing four weeks of rigorous training to include four static line jumps, one with combat equipment and one at night. The course concluded with an 8k ruck march from the drop zone. The U.S. also participated in the historic jump by serving as airborne-qualified mentors. Our continued, face-to-face exchanges with our allies and partners are a foundation of a our bilateral relationships, and bolster understanding in the region that we are going to be a reliable partner in both good and bad times. (U.S. Army Photo by Cpl. P.J. Siquig)"
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                <div class="image-title">230808-A-IW429-1338</div>
                <div class="image-caption">A student of the Royal Thai Army conducts an airborne jump during one of the four required airborne operations to graduate from the first Royal Thai Army all-female Basic Airborne Course conducted by the RTA Special Warfare School at Camp Erawan, Lop Buri, Thailand, Aug. 8, 2023. Nearly 100 female RTA soldiers from Airborne Class 345 earned their Parachutist Badge after completing four weeks of rigorous training to include four static line jumps, one with combat equipment and one at night. The course concluded with an 8k ruck march from the drop zone. The U.S. also participated in the historic jump by serving as airborne-qualified mentors. Our continued, face-to-face exchanges with our allies and partners are a foundation of a our bilateral relationships, and bolster understanding in the region that we are going to be a reliable partner in both good and bad times. (U.S. Army Photo by Cpl. P.J. Siquig)</div>
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            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2023/Aug/24/2003287705/1920/1080/0/230808-A-IW429-1304.JPG"
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                 alt="U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Sarah Meyers, Forward Support Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) serves as a U.S. Army Special Operations Forces jumpmaster mentor during the first Royal Thai Army all-female Basic Airborne Course conducted by the RTA Special Warfare School at Camp Erawan, Lop Buri, Thailand, Aug. 8, 2023. The United States and Thailand have nearly two centuries of diplomatic relations and have been security treaty allies for over 66 years. Our continued, face-to-face exchanges with our allies and partners are a foundation of a our bilateral relationships, and bolster understanding in the region that we are going to be a reliable partner in both good and bad times. (U.S. Army Photo by Cpl. P.J. Siquig)"
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                <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Sarah Meyers, Forward Support Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) serves as a U.S. Army Special Operations Forces jumpmaster mentor during the first Royal Thai Army all-female Basic Airborne Course conducted by the RTA Special Warfare School at Camp Erawan, Lop Buri, Thailand, Aug. 8, 2023. The United States and Thailand have nearly two centuries of diplomatic relations and have been security treaty allies for over 66 years. Our continued, face-to-face exchanges with our allies and partners are a foundation of a our bilateral relationships, and bolster understanding in the region that we are going to be a reliable partner in both good and bad times. (U.S. Army Photo by Cpl. P.J. Siquig)</div>
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                 alt="Royal Thai Army Capt. Napason Kingyong receives U.S. Master Parachutist Jump Wings from 1st Sgt. Sarah Meyers, U.S. Army Forward Support Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), who served as a U.S. Army Special Operations Forces jumpmaster mentor during the Royal Thai Army first all-female Basic Airborne Course conducted by the RTA Special Warfare School at Camp Erawan, Lop Buri, Thailand, 9, 2023. The United States and Thailand have nearly two centuries of diplomatic relations and have been security treaty allies for over 66 years. Our continued, face-to-face exchanges with our allies and partners are a foundation of a our bilateral relationships, and bolster understanding in the region that we are going to be a reliable partner in both good and bad times. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Theanne Tangen)"
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                <div class="image-caption">Royal Thai Army Capt. Napason Kingyong receives U.S. Master Parachutist Jump Wings from 1st Sgt. Sarah Meyers, U.S. Army Forward Support Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), who served as a U.S. Army Special Operations Forces jumpmaster mentor during the Royal Thai Army first all-female Basic Airborne Course conducted by the RTA Special Warfare School at Camp Erawan, Lop Buri, Thailand, 9, 2023. The United States and Thailand have nearly two centuries of diplomatic relations and have been security treaty allies for over 66 years. Our continued, face-to-face exchanges with our allies and partners are a foundation of a our bilateral relationships, and bolster understanding in the region that we are going to be a reliable partner in both good and bad times. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Theanne Tangen)</div>
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    <div><b>By Master Sgt. Theanne Tangen,</b> <span class="date">/ Published Aug. 24, 2023</span></div>
    <span class="dateline-text">LOP BURI, Thailand, </span>
    <p><span style="font-size:12px;">The Royal Thai Army invited U.S. Soldiers to participate in their first all-female Basic Airborne Course conducted by the Special Warfare School at Camp Erawan, Lop Buri, Thailand, July 18 – Aug. 9.  </span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12px;">Nearly 100 female RTA soldiers from Airborne Class 345 earned their Parachutist Badge after completing four weeks of rigorous training to include four static line jumps, one with combat equipment and one at night. The course concluded with an 8k ruck march from the drop zone. </span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12px;">During the graduation ceremony, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army General Narongpan Jittkaewtae reminded the soldiers what it means to wear the Parachutist Badge. </span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12px;">“To earn this badge you have to follow Standing Operating Procedures strictly, including vigorous training.” said Jittkaewtae. “This badge represents your persistence, courage, and discipline to protect the country, which is the pride of the Royal Thai Army Airborne. May I remind those who wear this badge on your left chest, you are Airborne, you are capable of static line operations, ready for airborne operations.” </span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12px;">1st Sgt. Sarah Meyers, U.S. Army Forward Support Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), served as the U.S. Army Special Operations Forces jumpmaster mentor during the course. Meyers has 15 years of airborne operations experience and is the only female jumpmaster in her battalion.  </span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12px;">“Being a part of a historic all-female jump feels empowering and significant, as it represents breaking barriers while working to improve combat effectiveness while promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity,” said Meyers. “It inspires a sense of pride, camaraderie, and a feeling of contribution to a positive change.” </span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12px;">At the completion of the course Meyers recognized and gave encouragement to the female with the highest physical fitness score. </span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12px;">“Good job exceeding the standard, don’t just do the minimum push yourself all the way,” said Meyers. “To keep up with our airborne brothers try to meet their standards.” </span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12px;">Meyers also presented her U.S. Master Parachutist Jump Wings to a standout female to continue to motivate and encourage the soldiers of the RTA.  </span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12px;">“I am so proud of them all,” said Meyers. “They are now officially my Airborne sisters.” </span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12px;">The United States and Thailand have nearly two centuries of diplomatic relations and have been security treaty allies for over 66 years.  </span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12px;">“The U.S. can help recommend how we can do better, and they can see how we do things differently which creates an exchange of information between us,” said 2nd Lt. Akararin Yucharoen, Thailand Special Warfare Command, instructor. “We have a great partnership.”</span></p>
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