CENTER OF ATTENTION U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Alistair E. Howard interacts with children during exercise Cobra Gold at Baan Pong Wua School in Chantaburi province, Thailand, Jan. 18, 2011. Howard, a civil affairs officer, is assigned to the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force. Cobra Gold is the latest in a series of Thai-U.S. military exercises to ensure regional peace through a strategy of cooperative engagement. SHARE: Download: Full Size (0.08 MB) Credit: VIRIN: 808319-M-USU31-528.jpg Photo Gallery