The Army-pioneered mock Exercise ‘Cormorant Strike VIII - 2017’ Thursday (14) morning saw its one of the most exiting accomplishments, technically identified as the ‘Critical Engagement’ of the Exercise at Kuchchaveli, Trincomalee where a simulated multi-pronged joint amphibious attack on enemy hideouts was carried out.
Together with 2108 infantrymen and mechanized infantrymen, inclusive of 370 sailors and 197 airmen participating, the Exercise, made up largely of Army Commandos and Special Forces has attracted a total of 69 foreign service personnel, representing 13 countries , either as participants or observers in the Operation proper.
‘Critical Engagement ‘of the 8th consecutive Exercise was watched by Hon. Ruwan Wijewardena, State Minister of Defence together with Mr. Kapila Waidyaratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne, Chief of Defence Staff at the invitation of Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army as special invitees at Kuchchaveli, this morning (14). The Field Training Exercise, launched a simulated enemy camp attack of ferocious magnitude, headed by Commandos and Special Forces, where they were simultaneously joined by MI 24 and MIG fighting jets and Naval fighter craft at sea, fighting against mock enemy positions.
Its objectives include sharing of military competency, exercising the elites in joint nature ‘interoperability’, experiencing of complex environments and exercise of different levels of commands under simulated scenarios, development of common understanding, efficient integration among different arms, military theoretical understanding and act as an eye opening platform for special operations exercising fundamentals of warfare in special Operation and the integration of advanced technology.
Major General Aruna Jayasekera, Exercise Director in his introductory remarks said that the Exercise has so far completed the launch of strategic Special Operation Forces to shape the battle space by conducting a series of Special Forces missions on selected High Value Targets in the Eastern Province to create conditions for subsequent Strike Corps operations.
This year’s Exercise ‘Cormorant Strike VIII - 2017’ was made more comprehensive to suit the most modern techniques with the introduction of 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.
The whole objective of the training was focused on Patrolling, Infiltration, / Ex-filtration, Reconnaissance and Surveillance, Combat Tracking, Link-up, Caches, Demolitions, Raids, Ambushes, Cut-off and Blocks, Rescue Missions, Cat Sniping and Urban Fighting, etc.
Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake during a brief interaction with the visiting foreign invitees explained the distinct objective and importance behind such training of Special Forces and Commandos which are a part of our country’s pride and dignity.