A Command Post Exercise (CPX) is when military officers engage in computerized war games, disaster relief, or humanitarian missions over several days.

China was admitted to Cobra Gold exercises for the first time in 2015, although Chinese military forces were only allowed to participate in humanitarian assistance training.

[8] Cobra Gold 2017 aimed to improve capabilities among participating nations, including conducting joint operations and building relationships.

Cobra Gold 20 aimed to enhance the capabilities of participating nations to plan and conduct combined and joint operation, build relationships among participating nations across the region, and improve interoperability over a range of activities, including strengthening maritime security, preventing and mitigating emerging disease threats, and responding to large-scale natural disasters.

Cobra Gold 2020 introduced a new landmine reduction operation and the participation of the Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems.

The HIMARS purpose is to conduct bilateral training at the battery-level on the weapon system, developing interoperability between the United States, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), and other regional nations and partners.

Leaders and commanders from Indo-Pacific nations participating in Cobra Gold 2020 came together to give final remarks and shake hands as the two-week-long exercise came to a close at Ban Dan Lan Hoi, Kingdom of Thailand on March 6, 2020.

The United States has engaged in only a single, very minor military intervention in the Pacific area since the end of the Vietnam War, making it challenging to judge Cobra Gold's effectiveness in improving warfighting capabilities and coordination.