Defence Services Command and Staff College

DSCSC AIR WING COURSE PARTICIPANTS UNDERTAKE EXERCISE ROCK APES

Exercise Rock Apes is conducted during the third term, following a two-day lecture series on ‘Air Base Defence’ delivered by SLAF visiting officers, and a central discussion involving the full lecturing panel. The objectives of this exercise are to develop Air Wing Course Participants’ knowledge on the Mechanics of Ground Defence, and to instil an understanding of the responsibilities inherent to an Air Base Defence environment. Further, the formulation of a formal Ground Defence Plan, and its presentation to higher commanders, are given equal priority within the exercise.

For the Exercise, the Air Wing Course Participants of DSCSC Course No 20 were grouped into three syndicates, representing three groups of Staff Officers of the Sri Lanka Air Force, and were tasked with developing Air Base Defence plans for a captured Air Base of the Videsh Air Force (VAF), situated in the Pulmoddai area.

During the field visit to SLAF Academy China Bay from 18 to 20 September 2026, the Course Participants were flown by Bell 212 helicopter to conduct an air reconnaissance over the actual exercise area, and were given an opportunity to visit the Air Base Defence deployments of SLAF Academy, China Bay. Further, the Commandant of the DSCSC witnessed the exercise activities conducted at SLAF Academy, China Bay.

A social gathering was held on 19 September 2026 at the Marble Beach Resort, China Bay, with the participation of the Deputy Commandant of SLAF Academy, China Bay, the Chief Instructor of the Air Wing, Faculty Members and Course Participants. The Commandant of the DSCSC graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

The Air Wing Course Participants thereafter returned to DSCSC on 20 September 2026 and conducted their planning phase, culminating in Critical Analysis presentations and model briefings on their formulated Air Base Defence plans on 23 September 2026.

_DSCSC AIR WING COURSE PARTICIPANTS UNDERTAKE EXERCISE ROCK APES _2026