U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Vincent Perez, right, with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a Royal Thai Marine, left, prepare to provide security 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 exercise improves the capability to plan and conduct combined joint operations, building relationships between partnering nations and improving interoperability across the Asia-Pacific Region.