The US Navy's spy plane P8-Alpha Poseidon conducts a reconnaissance, flying over the Gulf of Thailand Thursday, Sept. 5th. The maritime drills show the United States' increased military co-operation with Southeast Asian countries.

P8-Alpha’s reconnoiter flight is part of the first joint ASEAN-US maritime drills starting on September 2nd, involving the United States and 10 Southeast Asian countries. The joint operation involves eight warships and four aircraft from seven countries, and over 1,000 personnel.