The Royal Thai Army and U.S. Army initiated “Hanuman Guardian 2026” in Lopburi, involving 2,500 troops. The exercise enhances operational readiness and cooperation, featuring staff training, field exercises, and knowledge exchanges.
Key Points
- The Royal Thai Army and US Army commenced the joint military exercise “Hanuman Guardian 2026” at Ban Di Lang training area in Lopburi, running from March 9 to March 20, involving about 2,500 personnel (1,500 Thai troops, 1,000 US troops).
- The opening ceremony featured Colonel Chalermkiat Sirisomboon and Colonel Christopher Nunn, emphasizing improved readiness and combined-arms operations to tackle evolving security challenges.
- The exercise comprises a staff exercise for operational planning, a field training exercise simulating combat conditions, and a subject matter expert exchange focused on technical knowledge across various military fields, continuing a program established in 2012.
The Royal Thai Army and the United States Army have launched the joint military exercise “Hanuman Guardian 2026” at the Ban Di Lang training area in the Phatthana Nikhom district, Lopburi province. The exercise runs from March 9 to March 20 and involves about 2,500 personnel, including roughly 1,500 troops from the Royal Thai Army and 1,000 from the United States Army.
The opening ceremony was jointly presided over by Colonel Chalermkiat Sirisomboon, commander of the 112th Infantry Regiment, and Colonel Christopher Nunn, commander of the 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the United States Army. The training strengthens combined-arms operations and improves readiness to address evolving security challenges.
The exercise includes three main components. A staff exercise allows officers to practice operational planning and coordination at the regimental and battalion levels. A field training exercise places maneuver and combat support units in simulated operational conditions at the Ban Di Lang training area. A subject matter expert exchange allows personnel to share technical knowledge in fields such as air operations, engineering, explosive ordnance disposal, military working dogs, civil affairs, and intelligence.
Hanuman Guardian originated after discussions at the 7th Pacific Army Chiefs Conference in Singapore in 2011 on expanding training cooperation to address emerging security challenges. The first exercise was held in 2012 at the Infantry Center training area and included operational training as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities. The program has continued regularly as part of long-standing military cooperation between Thailand and the United States.
Source : Thailand, US Launch Hanuman Guardian 2026 Military Exercise
