Soldiers of the 1st Special Forces Regiment, Royal Thai Army, fast-rope down from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter at Camp Pawai, Thailand, on May 17, 1998, during Exercise Cobra Gold '98. Cobra Gold '98 is the latest in a continuing series of U.S.-Thai military exercises designed to ensure regional peace and strengthen the ability of the Royal Thai Armed Forces to defend Thailand. The training includes joint combined air, land and sea operations. Cobra Gold is the largest strategic mobility exercise involving the U.S. Pacific Command forces this year. The Thai soldiers are cross training with U.S. Army soldiers of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Lewis, Wash.