Defence Services Command and Staff College

EXERCISE – ROCK APES

Exercise “Rock Apes” is a scheduled outdoor exercise focused on Air Base Defence exposure to Course Participants of the Air Wing. The exercise has been planned in term three and the objectives of the exercise are to develop the Course Participants’ knowledge on the Mechanics of Ground Defence and familiarizing them with the responsibilities of Air Base Defence environment in an Air Base. Further, writing a formal Ground Defence Plan and briefing to the higher commander are also given priorities in the exercise.

The exercise unfolded in two phases. Phase one is designed to educate the Course Participants through a series of lectures by visiting officers of Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment who are specialized on the subject areas from 23 to 24 Sep 24 followed by a central discussion.

Phase two is a reconnaissance based planning and preparation of an ABD Plan for a hypothetical Air Base in Pulmoddai area. Phase two commenced on 25 Sep 24 and concluded on 30 Sep 24. The main events in the phase two were, Course Participants were given an opportunity to conduct an air reconnaissance over the designated exercise area and visiting the Air Base Defence deployments in the Air Force Academy China Bay. Course Participants were provided three sorties of Mi 17 helicopter to carry out the air recce. Thereafter, they returned to DSCSC on 27 Sep 24 and conducted presentations and model briefings on formulated Air Base Defence Plans on 29 and 30 Sep 24.