U.S. Navy Hospitalman 2nd Class Mark Cristobal with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 and Republic of Korea Marine Lance Cpl. Lee Chang talk at a multipurpose building being constructed at the Ban Khlong Bangbor School in support of Exercise Cobra Gold 2012, Rayong, Thailand, Feb. 7, 2012. MWSS-172 is part of Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The coordinated effort displayed at the construction site highlights the joint effort of the participating nations in 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.