A member of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force stands guard in order to assist U.S. Marines and Royal Thai Marines in providing security for evacuees boarding CH-46E Sea Knight aircraft during simulated non-combatant evacuation operations Feb. 12. The Royal Thai Marine Corps, U.S. Marines, Japan Self-Defense Forces, Malaysian and Singaporean armed forces all participated in the NEO during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. The aircraft belongs to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The exercise demonstrates the multilateral training of the U.S. and participating nations increasing interoperability and promoting security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region.