CONEX 19 concludes on successful note
 

The Colombo Naval Exercise 2019 (CONEX 19) organized by the Sri Lanka Navy came to a successful end today (29th January), after achieving the desired outcomes of this joint exercise. The CONEX 19 which spanned 04 days was complemented by both Harbour and Sea Phases. The exercise was augmented by Sri Lanka Navy Ships; Sindurala, Sagara, Samudura, Prathapa, Suranimila, Mihikatha, Rathnadeepa along with Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ships; Suraksha and Samudraraksha. Apart from that, a number of Sri Lanka Navy Fast Attack Craft and helicopters of the Sri Lanka Air Force also joined CONEX 19.

As part of the exercise a wide range of naval exercises including; passage through mined waters, Replenishment at Sea (RAS) approaches, night firing, Towing Exercises (TOWEX), means of communication and Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) exercises were carried out. Besides, the CONEX 19 saw a special drill executed by Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force personnel, in which a patient being successfully retrieved from a naval vessel to an Air Force helicopter. The mock exercise came to fruition largely due to the excellent commitment of the naval and Air Force personnel. It is believed that CONEX 19 paved the way to improve operational readiness and training capabilities of both Navy and Air Force, in a bid to maintain maritime security in the region.

Further, exercises of this nature will be crucial for the interoperability between sister services and expansion of capacity of both Navy and Air Force when conducting combined exercises for the defence of the island’s territorial waters.