The Royal Thai Army (RTA) and the U.S. Army marked the successful conclusion of the joint exercise codenamed HANUMAN GUARDIAN 2024 with a closing ceremony held at the Army Tactical Training Center in Ban Dee Lang, Phatthana Nikhom District, Lopburi Province on March 22, 2024. Commencing with an inaugural ceremony on March 11, 2024, in Lopburi Province, Exercise Hanuman Guardian 2024 spanned from March 11 to March 22, 2024, encompassing a wide array of training activities. The exercise incorporated diverse training modules such as Jungle Survival, exchange training (CTX), small arms engagements (Squad Battle Drills), and artillery proficiency, including firing exercises utilizing the 155mm M777 towed cannon from the 2nd Battalion, Rifle Department, 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment of the U.S. Army, alongside the 105mm towed howitzer LG1 Mk III from the 11th Artillery Battalion, 1st Artillery Regiment of the Royal Thai Army.
Furthermore, the training regimen included specialized components such as Military Working Dog (MWD) training conducted by the Military Dog Center (MDC) under the purview of the Army Veterinary Department, as well as simulations of combat in urban environments (MOUT: Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain) and Close Quarters Battle (CQB) scenarios. Noteworthy participation was observed from elite units including the Royal Guard Assault Battalion Colonel Ror (Ranger Battalion King’s Guard), 3rd Special Forces Regiment King’s Guard, and 1st Special Forces Division, all operating under the Command Unit Special Warfare (SWCOM: Special Warfare Command).
The exercise also featured Air Mobile Operations (Air Assault) showcasing the operational capabilities of the Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from the 9th Aviation Battalion, Aviation Regiment, Army Aviation Center, Royal Thai Army, as well as the Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from the 1st Attack Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade (16th CAB), 7th Infantry Division of the United States Army. Live fire exercises (LFX) were conducted utilizing Stryker RTA ICV 8×8 wheeled armored vehicles from the 112th Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Division, Royal Thai Army, and Stryker 8×8 wheeled armored vehicles from the 1st Battalion 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team (2nd SBCT), 2nd Infantry Division, United States Army Pacific (USARPAC).
