26th September 2018 18:21:24 Hours
‘Critical Engagement’, the apex of the joint Tri-service mega Field Training Exercise (FTX) of the Army, 'Cormorant Strike IX - 2018’ dominated largely by Special Force and Commando Regiment troops and backed by sailors, airmen, mechanized infantrymen and foreign troops got off the ground at Kuchchaveli, Trincomalee this afternoon (26) before a mammoth gathering of state officials, commanders, tri-servicemen, invitees, media personnel, onlookers and local civilians.
The final phase of this annual FTX, technically defined as the ‘Critical Engagement’ vividly displayed how a simulated multi-pronged joint amphibious attack on enemy hideouts could be carried out with precision and short notice in a setting, considered hostile, most challenging and exciting.
Along with 2500 troops, infantrymen and mechanized infantrymen, inclusive of 400 Sailors and 200 Airmen, the FTX was made up largely of Army Commandos and Special Forces. To the credit of the Sri Lanka Army, the FTX has attracted a total of 64 foreign service personnel, representing 19 countries, either as participants or observers in the Operation proper.
Foreign participants and observers from China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Indonesia, Nigeria, Nepal, Sudan and Zambia contributed productively to the consecutive 9th FTX in close cooperation with fellow service personnel participating in the FTX during the three-week long training.
Today’s highlight, the mock attack on the enemy was watched by Hon. Ruwan Wijewardena, State Minister of Defence as the Chief Guest, together with Mr. Kapila Waidyaratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Navy, Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force as special invitees to Kuchchaveli at the invitation of Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army who took an enormous interest throughout the preparatory and operational stages.
Today’s simulated lightening attack of ferocious magnitude, headed by Commandos and Special Forces, where they were simultaneously joined by MI 24 and MIG fighter jets and Naval fighter craft at sea struck enemy positions in a convincing manner, identical to that of a real battlefield scenario.
The FTX is aimed at enhancing the military cohesion, combat preparedness, operational readiness and efficiency of Special Operational Forces and is on par with similar Exercises at international levels.
Sharing of military competency, exercising the elites in joint nature ‘interoperability’, experiencing of complex environments and exercise of chain of commands under simulated scenarios, development of common understanding, efficient integration among different arms, military theoretical understanding and acting as an eye-opening platform for special operations, exercising fundamentals of warfare in special Operations and the integration into advanced technology to a certain extent, etc are among major objectives behind the realization of this annual event.
Major General Niyshshanka Ranawana, Exercise Director in his introductory remarks before the launch of the final Exercise told the gathering that it was designed to empower the experience pre-arranged to Special Operations Forces (SOF) soldier to be prepared for any security threats.
A few minutes after the FTX, a message of greetings, issued by HE the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Maithripala Sirisena, was read out by Lieutenant Colonel Silvester Perera, Exercise Colonel General Staff. The message appreciated the commitment of the tri-services and their dedication for defence of the motherland.
This year’s Exercise 'Cormorant Strike IX - 2018’ was made more comprehensive to suit the most modern techniques adding new features in specific operation segments. Based on a hypothetical scenario, the Exercise incorporated Web GIS software for operations, Improvised Digital Bird Tables and Smart Boards, separate joint Naval operations, joint night operations, Operations conducted by both Special Forces and Commandos in the same area and the conduct of a parachute jump with full combat gear, to highlight a few.
A panel of Exercise Directors, commanded by Major General Niyshshanka Ranawana, Director, Exercise with the coordination of the Army Directorate of Training, headed by Major General Aruna Wanniarachchi, Director General Army Training, meticulously planned and executed the whole of the Exercise 'Cormorant Strike IX - 2018’ in a very professional manner until the final phase.
Brigadier Krishantha Gnanarathne, Commando Brigade Commander and Colonel Upul Ihalage, Commander, Special Force Brigade, have been serving as Deputy Directors in the Exercise since the Day 1 of the FTX.
The first phase of the Exercise 'Cormorant Strike IX - 2018’, started off from Minneriya on 6 September after a brief inaugural ceremony.
The FTX in addition focused on Patrolling, Infiltration, Counter-filtration, Reconnaissance and Surveillance, Combat Tracking, Link-up, Caches, Demolitions, Raids, Ambushes, Cut-off and Blocks, Rescue Missions, Cat Sniping and Urban Fighting, VIP Protection, HALO-Casting, Combat Diving, Cyber Security, Counter CBRN etc and other strategic training modules.
The Exercise at its final stages joined directly with Army troops for onslaughts against enemy strongholds and raised the momentum. This Army-initiated mock Field Training Exercise (FTX), organized and implemented in close cooperation with the Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force has been designed for deployment of their troops in a war milieu of Special Operations at any given moment and planned to engage in joint operations as one team, using manoeuvrist approach, encompassing core function of Find, Fix, Destroy while planning, execution and mission command which can be made operational at any given scenario.
The near three-week long Exercise, covered Eastern, Central, Western and North Central Provinces and provided a catalyst to build the capacity of Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the Army, comprised of parallel seaborne and airborne operations, special combat readiness operations and direct onslaughts against the mock enemy strongholds, conduct of joint operations, execution and planning of special operations, tactics, techniques and procedures, etc within given time frameworks during the specified period.
In addition, all those participants in the Exercise gained a wide practical knowledge on simulating rescue operations, operations of joint amphibious task forces, induction and de-induction of the troops, siege of safe houses, under water missions, mock ambushes of unconventional types, planning, preparations, formulations, coordination, commands, control, tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP), operations within given time frames, air and sea rescue operations, attacks on hideouts, intelligence gathering, etc.
A few foreign members of the Diplomatic Corps also watched the mock Exercise where the combined troops of the Special Forces showed their skills and carried out a ferocious attack on another enemy camp in close proximity. Senior Government Officials, together with the Senior Police Officers, several Air Force and Navy Senior Officers were also associated with the final simulated operation as invitees.
Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake during a brief interaction with visiting foreign invitees and a huge gathering of media personnel explained the distinct objective and importance behind such training of Special Forces and Commandos which are a part of any country’s pride and dignity. Witnessing the roles of Army troops and supporting troops closely, he expressed his happiness over their skills which have been organized in a mock war milieu environment.
As per the scope of the mega Exercise in the Army calendar of assignments, the Special Operation Forces during the Exercise are expected to undergo an array of rigorous, strong, and unique training schedules to take up any challenge during battles of hostile missions.
The 'Cormorant Strike' is the largest joint field Exercise in the country, which is conducted to maintain their highest physical efficiency and specialization in special operational tactics, techniques, procedures, and skills, to be employed for specialized tasks which may come in handy whenever the security of the country is threatened.
The award of certificates and appreciative tokens to the participants will take place on Thursday (27) at a separate ceremony.latest jordan Sneakers | Archives des Sneakers
