(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)

United States and Thai soldiers conducted an amphibious assault as part of the annual Cobra Gold, the biggest joint military exercise in Asia on Thursday (February 14) in the Chonburi province of Thailand.

Helicopters flew overhead as explosives detonated along the beach. More than 300 U.S. and Thai military personnel headed towards the shore from sea in amphibious assault vehicles (AAV).

Several military exercises were due to take place including live-fire, diving, shooting and parachuting drills aimed at enhancing cooperation between U.S. and its allies.

Seven nations - U.S. Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia - join the biggest joint military exercise in Asia with several observing nations including Myanmar. Myanmar sent two military personnel after receiving an invitation from U.S. last year. Thai officials said Myanmar would observe only the humanitarian operations.

Cobra Gold is the biggest joint military exercise in Asia hosted annually by Thailand since 1982 with at least 13,000 military personnel participating in the drills.