File:Exercise Cobra Gold 2010 amphibious exercise.jpg

English: A U.S. Marine lays in the prone position during a mock amphibious assault conducted by the Marine and Naval forces of the Republic of Korea, Thailand and the U.S., at Hat Yao, Feb. 4. The event was part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2010. Cobra Gold 2010 marks the 29th anniversary of the annual, joint and coalition multinational exercise, hosted by the Kingdom of Thailand. The exercise consists of a Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative Exercise, Command Post Exercise, HCA projects and field training exercises. The goal of the exercise is to enhance military interoperability and improves communities through humanitarian assistance and civil action projects. An amphibious assault demonstrates the use of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to project military power ashore. An amphibious landing of infantry troops on a beach a complex military maneuvers. The undertaking requires coordination of numerous military specialties, including air power, naval gunfire, naval transport, logistical planning, specialized equipment, land warfare, tactics and extensive training for all personnel involved. There are two main vehicles used in an amphibious assault; the Landing Craft Air Cushion and the Amphibious Assault Vehicle.