Final phase of the 'Exercise Cormorant Strike- VII' was successfully completed on Tuesday morning (20th Sept.). The operations saw a simulated multi-pronged attack on enemy hideouts being carried out in location at Arisimalai, Yan oya and Thiriyaya.
Secretary to the Ministry of Defense Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi was present to witness the day's proceedings.
More than 3400 tri forces personnel are participating in the Exercise while 58 foreign participants from Bangladesh, China, India, Sudan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and USA are taking part as participants or observers. The local contingent includes 2500 infantrymen, 638 sailors and 506 airmen.
During the combined 'mock' operations navy's Fast Attack Craft, Inshore Patrol Craft, Fast Gun Boats and Landing Craft Utility and air force craft including Mig and K8 fighter jets and MI -17 and Bell-212 helicopters and C-130 transport planes were also involved in the maneuvers.
The final display at Arisimalai, Yanoya was based on hypothetical scenario with the objective of training focusing 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.
The Exercise enabled the participants to gain wide practical knowledge on simulating rescue operations, joint amphibious task forces operations, induction and de-induction of troops, safe houses sieges, 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 and such.
Chief of Defense Staff, commanders of the army and air force, chief of staff of navy, Defense Attaches from Bangladesh, China, India, Sudan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and the USA, senior military and police officers were also present at the closing phase of the Exercise.
A formal certificate awarding ceremony is to be held on Saturday (24th Sept.) symbolizing the conclusion of the Exercise.