U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Aaron Lende from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit provides security as a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter takes off during the simulated non-combatant evacuation operations in Rayong, Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 12, 2012. The Royal Thai Marine Corps, U.S. Marines, Japan Self Defense Forces, Malaysian and Singaporean armed forces all participated in the NEO training during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. The aircraft belongs to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The exercise improves the capability to plan and conduct combined joint operations, building relationships between partnering nations and improving interoperability across the Asia-Pacific Region.