U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific Leads Multi-Domain Integration at Cobra Gold 24

In a groundbreaking move towards multi-domain integration, U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific took the helm in leading U.S. space participation during joint exercise Cobra Gold 24 in Thailand, held from Feb. 27 to March 8.

For the first time in its history, Cobra Gold witnessed the collaboration of over 33 nations working and training together across space, air, and land domains, setting a new benchmark for multinational space operations.

Captain Jarrett Jordan, an exercise planner from SPACEFOR-INDOPAC, remarked, “Four years ago, Cobra Gold had no space participation. This year, it became one of the most robust multinational space exercises in the world.”

Utilizing established alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, Space Force Guardians elevated Cobra Gold, a renowned military exercise in Asia, now in its 43rd iteration. The exercise serves as a platform for experts and leaders from various nations to exchange knowledge and expertise, navigating through challenging scenarios.

“Cobra Gold gives us the chance to learn from our partners and to develop new skills through combined integration,” said Captain Jordan. “These commitments yield significant benefits in talent development and foster enduring cooperation.”

Amidst evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including extreme weather and threats to the rules-based international order, exercises like Cobra Gold provide operators with opportunities to address new domain integrations, previously unexplored.

“By practicing in exercises like Cobra Gold, participants can work through the challenges they may not have the opportunity to see on a daily basis,” noted Captain Jordan. “By establishing this new space play, Cobra Gold has become an even better venue for joint and combined partnership that recognizes space as contested domain.”

As regional actors increasingly recognize the significance of space, efforts such as those witnessed at Cobra Gold are anticipated to gain further importance. SPACEFOR-INDOPAC remains committed to expanding outreach efforts to allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific, with plans already underway for additional space integration in other combined events. Each endeavor aims to enhance Guardian skills, strengthen alliances, and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Reflecting on their inaugural participation in Cobra Gold, Captain Jordan emphasized, “Participating in Cobra Gold for the first time was a powerful reminder of the importance of our allies and partners. Integrating space into the exercise as part of an incredible multinational team was a big task, but it was one worth doing and one we were able to succeed at together.”