U.S. and Thai military forces are conducting a chemical warfare drill.

Roughly 80 miles east of Thailand's capital Bangkok, the exercise tests the troops' response to a simulated chemical attack.

Tuesday's drills involve 65 members from the Thai Navy, Marines and Air Force, and 17 U.S. Marines.

The simulated attack begins with tear gas released near a truck carrying Thai soldiers.

Thai personnel then help the "injured", while U.S. Marines take over the decontamination process.

A Thai Navy captain says the joint drill is beneficial for both countries' militaries.

(SOUNDBITE) (Thai) ROYAL THAI NAVY CAPTAIN TAEWAN SUCHARIWONGSANONT SAYING:

"The U.S. was the model country that trained our soldiers and served as our teacher. Their soldiers can come and see how their training was utilized. We can work together. Our techniques, our different techniques that we learned or used can be combined. These exercises are combined from different militaries and because of that, we have the ability to really work together."

Meanwhile, an American Marine says the exercises are good practice for threats in the real world.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. MARINE CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER JON DAVIS SAYING:

"So if an incident were to occur and it became necessary for us to have some kind of combined response, it helps to ensure that everyone is rehearsed, or familiar, and that we can respond in an expedient manner and in a way that is conducive to both military operations and helps protect civilians."

The exercises, dubbed "Cobra Gold", began last Wednesday, and will wrap up this Friday.

Travis Brecher, Reuters