Marines prove preparedness as Field Training Exercise Blue Whale - 2024 concludes

The Sri Lanka Navy Marines successfully conducted the third edition of the "Marines Field Training Exercise, Blue Whale – 2024" from 7th to 13th October 2024. The exercise took place along the North-Western coast and surrounding coastal areas. The Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Damian Fernando presided over the closing ceremony of Blue Whale 2024, held at the Marines Headquarters, SLNS Vidura in Trincomalee.

During the training exercise, practical sessions on conducting amphibious operations were held, marking the first-time participation of 25 foreign naval personnel, including observers from Pakistan, Maldives, and Bangladesh. In addition, a total of 195 naval personnel from the Naval Fleet Command, Naval Infantry, Marines, Special Boat Squadron, Rapid Action Boat Squadron, Investigative Task Force, and Medical branch of the Sri Lanka Navy took part in the exercise. The exercise was augmented by SLNS Shakthi, Inshore Patrol Craft, Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats, as well as a Bell 212 helicopter of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

The training exercise encompassed a diverse set of operations, including reconnaissance missions, riverine search-and-clear operations, amphibious assaults, naval gunfire support (NGFS), air infiltration via rappelling, casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) by air and stability operations.

The Blue Whale 2024 exercise focused on improving the integration of various military units, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and capabilities in amphibious operations, and fostering mutual understanding between the Navy, Air Force, and regional partners. It provided a platform for sharing combat experiences and best practices, identifying each partner’s strengths, and enhancing the skills of Navy Special Forces and other units. The exercise also bolstered collective responses to shared maritime threats and strengthened overall preparedness.

The closing ceremony was also attended by Defence Advisor of Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo, Commodore Muhammad Moniruzzaman, Defence Advisor of the Maldives High Commission in Colombo, Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Amir, foreign participants of the exercise, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Fleet, Commodore Sanjeewa Perera, Director Marine, Commodore Rohan Dissanayake, Commodore Superintendent Logistics (East), Commodore Keerthi Rathnayake, Naval Officer in Charge (Trincomalee South) and Commandant SLNS Vidura, Captain Sanjeewa Kodikara, Commanding Officer 4th Fast Attack Flotilla, Captain Athula Jayaweera, Commanding Officer SLNS Vidura and 1st Marine Battalion, Commander Samantha Dissanayake as well as officers and sailors from the Sri Lanka Navy Marines and Eastern Naval Command.